Chinese word

乐器

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuè qì

Meaning

  • nounmusical instrument

Example

我想学一种乐器。wǒ xiǎng xué yì zhǒng yuè qì

I want to learn to play a musical instrument.

Illustration for 乐器 (musical instrument)

More examples

博物馆里展出了许多古老的乐器，包括民族乐器和西洋乐器。bó wù guǎn lǐ zhǎn chū le xǔ duō gú lǎo de yuè qì bāo kuò mín zú yuè qì hé xī yáng yuè qì

The museum displayed many old musical instruments, including ethnic and Western musical instruments.

Core concept

A purpose-built object used to produce or express music.

Common phrases

  • 民族乐器mín zú yuè qì

    ethnic musical instrument

  • 西洋乐器xī yáng yuè qì

    Western musical instrument

  • 打击乐器dǎ jī yuè qì

    percussion instrument

Similar words

音乐yīn yuè: An art form and its works that use sound to express feelings or beauty.
乐队yuè duì: A group of performers who play instruments together.
乐手yuè shǒu: A person who plays a musical instrument.
器乐qì yuè: Music performed with instruments alone, without singing.

Definition in Chinese

指用来演奏或表达音乐的器具或装置。zhǐ yòng lái yǎn zòu huò biǎo dá yīn yuè de qì jù huò zhuāng zhì

Word origin

乐器 (yuèqì, "musical instrument") is formed from 乐 (yuè, "music") and 器 (qì, "tool or vessel"), linking the object directly with its musical purpose.

Usage tips

  • English instrument has wider meanings, so 乐器 (yuèqì, "musical instrument") is used when the musical sense is intended.

Related words

  • 西洋乐器xī yáng yuè qìWestern musical instrumentnoun
  • 民间乐器mín jiān yuè qìfolk musical instrumentnoun

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