free reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd
unknown, 11 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #30938, Very Hard
shēng(sheng1) T1
1free reed mouth organ
2free reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd
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March 24, 2026
笙shēng(sheng1)
笙 (shēng) refers to a traditional Chinese musical instrument, specifically a type of free reed mouth organ made of bamboo pipes and a gourd. It is commonly used in various Chinese musical ensembles and is known for its rich, resonant sound. In addition to its musical context, the character can also symbolize harmony and cultural heritage.
Strokes11Radical⺮Frequency#30938DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The 笙 is integral to traditional Chinese orchestras, often accompanying festivals and ceremonies. Its unique sound is associated with celebrations and is a symbol of artistic expression in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful scene where a musician plays the 笙 (shēng) under a bamboo grove. The character 笙 contains the radical for bamboo (竹) on the left, reminding you of the bamboo pipes, and the phonetic component (生) sounds like 'sheng,' which hints at 'sound' or 'life'—the essence of music.
Meanings of 笙
shēng(sheng1)
1free reed mouth organ
2free reed mouth organ, with wooden pipes stuck into a gourd
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 笙 means.
About 笙
笙Simplified
11Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 笙
Podcast: 笙
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AI Study Notes for 笙
Usage Notes
When using 笙, be aware that it is more commonly referenced in musical contexts, so it may not be familiar outside of discussions about traditional Chinese music. Avoid confusion with similar instruments by ensuring the context is clear. It’s often used in formal settings, particularly in cultural performances.
HSK Study Tips
Although 笙 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other musical terms and instruments you may encounter at this level. Focus on related vocabulary regarding musical instruments to enhance your cultural understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 笙 with similar instruments like 笛 (dí) or 嗩吶 (suǒnà). Remember that 笙 specifically refers to the mouth organ with bamboo pipes, while the others have different methods of sound production.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 笙
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Etymology of 笙
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 生 represents the sound.
笙 = ⺮ + 生. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 笙
IDS Structure⿱⺮生
笙Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
生sheng1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 笙?
How to say free reed mouth organ in Chinese
“free reed mouth organ” in Chinese is笙shēng
笙 (shēng) refers to a traditional Chinese musical instrument, specifically a type of free reed mouth organ made of bamboo pipes and a gourd. It is commonly used in various Chinese musical ensembles and is known for its rich, resonant sound. In addition to its musical context, the character can also symbolize harmony and cultural heritage.
When to use 笙
When using 笙, be aware that it is more commonly referenced in musical contexts, so it may not be familiar outside of discussions about traditional Chinese music. Avoid confusion with similar instruments by ensuring the context is clear. It’s often used in formal settings, particularly in cultural performances.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 笙 with similar instruments like 笛 (dí) or 嗩吶 (suǒnà). Remember that 笙 specifically refers to the mouth organ with bamboo pipes, while the others have different methods of sound production.
Write 笙
笙
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Word Family of 笙
Words Containing This Character3
笙shēngsheng, a free reed wind instrument, with vertical bamboo pipes
