Chinese word

节奏

Pronunciation

Pinyinjié zòu

Meaning

  • nounrhythm

Example

这首歌的节奏很舒服。zhè shǒu gē de jié zòu hěn shū fú

The rhythm of this song is very pleasant.

Illustration for 节奏 (rhythm)

More examples

开始时他跟不上节奏，后来才跟上。kāi shǐ shí tā gēn bú shàng jié zòu hòu lái cái gēn shàng

At first, he could not keep up with the rhythm, but later he caught up.

Core concept

A regular pattern of beats or actions that gives sound, movement, or activity its timing.

Common phrases

  • 掌握节奏zhǎng wò jié zòu

    get the rhythm

  • 跟上节奏gēn shàng jié zòu

    keep up with the rhythm

  • 改变节奏gǎi biàn jié zòu

    change the rhythm

Similar words

节拍jié pāi: A basic beat or pulse that forms the smallest unit of a rhythm.
拍子pāi zi: A group of beats that marks the timing or divisions of music or exercise.
节奏感jié zòu gǎn: A sense or ability to feel a rhythm and keep in time with it.
旋律xuán lǜ: A flowing line of changing musical notes that forms the main tune.

Definition in Chinese

指音乐或动作中按规律出现的拍子或律动，也可指人际交流、工作或生活的步调与节拍。zhǐ yīn yuè huò dòng zuò zhōng àn guī lǜ chū xiàn de pāi zi huò lǜ dòng yě kě zhǐ rén jì jiāo liú gōng zuò huò shēng huó de bù diào yǔ jié pāi

Word origin

The compound 节 (jié, "section") + 奏 (zòu, "to play music") links measured divisions with musical performance, extending naturally from musical timing to the timing of activities.

Usage tips

  • Chinese readily describes a song's rhythm as 舒服 (shūfu, "comfortable"), linking musical timing with physical ease in a way that sounds less usual in English.

Other meanings

  • temponoun
  • beatnoun
  • pacenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 节奏感jié zòu gǎnsense of rhythmnoun
  • 节奏型jié zòu xíngrhythm patternnoun

Word lists with this word