Chinese word

弦

Pronunciation

Pinyinxián

Meaning

  • nounstring

Example

吉他的弦要换了。jí tā de xián yào huàn le

The guitar strings need replacing.

Illustration for 弦 (string)

More examples

物理实验中测量了弦的张力。wù lǐ shí yàn zhōng cè liáng le xián de zhāng lì

String tension was measured in a physics experiment.

Core concept

A line made useful by being held between two ends, carrying vibration in music, pulling force in a bow, or joining two points on a curve.

Common phrases

  • 拨动弦bō dòng xián

    pluck a string

  • 弦的张力xián de zhāng lì

    string tension

  • 触碰弦chù pèng xián

    touch a string

Similar words

线xiàn: A thin line or thread used to connect things, show a shape, or mark a position.
绳子shéng zi: A thick, strong cord used for tying things or pulling them.
琴弦qín xián: A taut, thin line stretched across an instrument to produce sound.
丝sī: A very fine thread or fiber used in sewing and careful, precise work.

Definition in Chinese

指被拉紧以传递振动或力的细线，常由金属、尼龙等制成，多用于乐器或弓；在数学中指连接弧两端的直线段。zhǐ bèi lā jǐn yǐ chuán dì zhèn dòng huò lì de xì xiàn cháng yóu jīn shǔ ní lóng děng zhì chéng duō yòng yú yuè qì huò gōng zài shù xué zhōng zhǐ lián jiē hú liǎng duān de zhí xiàn duàn

Word origin

The word comes from 弓 (gōng, "bow") + 玄 (xuán, "dark"), with 弓 pointing to its original bowstring use and 玄 supplying the sound; later uses extend to musical strings and geometric chords.

Usage tips

  • English uses string for many materials, but this Chinese noun is not the usual choice for every thin line; a loose thread, wire, or cable normally takes a different everyday word.

Other meanings

  • bowstringnoun

Related words

  • 琴弦qín xiáninstrument stringnoun
  • 弦线xián xiànstring wirenoun

Word lists with this word