Meanings of 琶
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 琶
Podcast: 琶
Podcast: 琶
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 琶
琵琶 (pípá) vs 琶 (pá) — use 琵琶 for the specific pear-shaped lute, while 琶 refers to a broader category of string instruments.
When using 琶, be mindful that it is typically used in formal or artistic contexts related to music. A common mistake is to confuse it with other musical instruments or to use it in casual conversation, which may not convey the same cultural significance.
Although 琶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with other music-related words at the intermediate level, such as 乐器 (yuèqì - musical instrument) and 音乐 (yīnyuè - music). Students should focus on recognizing its use in traditional music contexts.
Learners often mispronounce 琶 as 'bā' instead of 'pá', which can lead to confusion with other characters. Additionally, some may incorrectly use it interchangeably with other string instruments like 吉他 (jítā - guitar).
Pronunciation of 琶
Drill the tone of 琶 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 琶
Phonosemantic compound. 玨 represents the meaning and 巴 represents the sound.
guitar strings
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 琶
Phonosemantic compound. 玨 represents the meaning and 巴 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half玨 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half巴 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayguitar strings
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 琶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 琶?
Decomposition of 琶
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 琶?
How to say a guitar-like instrument (2) in Chinese
“a guitar-like instrument (2)” in Chinese is琶
The character 琶 (pá) refers to a type of string instrument similar to a guitar, specifically linked to traditional Chinese music. It is often associated with the 琵琶 (pípá), which is a pear-shaped lute that has a rich history in Chinese culture and is commonly used in various musical performances.
When to use 琶
When using 琶, be mindful that it is typically used in formal or artistic contexts related to music. A common mistake is to confuse it with other musical instruments or to use it in casual conversation, which may not convey the same cultural significance.
琶 or something close to it
琵琶 (pípá) vs 琶 (pá) — use 琵琶 for the specific pear-shaped lute, while 琶 refers to a broader category of string instruments.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 琶 as 'bā' instead of 'pá', which can lead to confusion with other characters. Additionally, some may incorrectly use it interchangeably with other string instruments like 吉他 (jítā - guitar).
Write 琶
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 琶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 琶
琶 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
曲谱最早见于1819年的《华秋苹琵____谱》卷上.
The score first appeared in a collection of Pipa Scores of
Example Sentences for 琶 (1)
Word Family of 琶
Compound Meaning
What does 琵琶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 琶
琶 refers specifically to the guitar-like instrument, while 琵琶 is the more commonly known lute that has a distinct shape and playing style.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 琶?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.