long zither with 13 to 16 strings, developed from guqin 古琴 during Tang and Song times
HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
筝
zhēng
Japanese koto
HSK 6, unknown, 12 strokes, radical ⺮, Hard
zhēng(zheng1) T1
1guzheng, zither, string instrument
2guzheng or long zither
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March 24, 2026
筝(箏)zhēng(zheng1)
The character 筝 (zhēng) refers to a traditional Chinese string instrument known as the guzheng. It is typically played by plucking strings, and its rich, melodic tones are often used in both solo performances and ensemble settings, making it significant in Chinese music culture.
Strokes12Radical⺮DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The guzheng has a rich history in China, dating back over 2,500 years, and is often associated with traditional storytelling and poetry, reflecting deep cultural values and historical contexts in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long, elegant zither with 13 to 16 strings (like a giant harp) that looks like a bridge over a stream. The character 筝 has the radical for 'bamboo' (竹) on the left, hinting at its stringed nature and connection to traditional music, while 'z' in 'zhēng' can remind you of 'zither'.
Meanings of 筝
zhēng(zheng1)
1guzheng, zither, string instrument
2guzheng or long zither
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 筝 means.
About 筝
筝Simplified
箏Traditional
12Strokes
⺮Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1
Podcast: 筝
Podcast: 筝
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AI Study Notes for 筝
Quick Contrast
古筝 (gǔzhēng) vs. 琵琶 (pípá) — choose 筝 when referring specifically to the guzheng, whereas 琵琶 refers to a different plucked string instrument.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing zhēng, as a mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words. The term is often used in formal contexts related to music and culture. Common collocations include '演奏筝' (perform on the zheng) and '筝曲' (zheng music).
HSK Study Tips
While 筝 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, it connects to cultural and music-related words. Focus on learning related terms such as '乐器' (yuèqì, musical instrument) and '音乐' (yīnyuè, music) to enhance your understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 筝 with similar-sounding words due to the tone, mistakenly saying 'zheng' instead of 'zhēng'. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it in a modern context without understanding its traditional significance.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 筝
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Etymology of 筝
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 争 represents the sound. Simplified form of 箏.
筝 = ⺮ + 争. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 筝
IDS Structure⿱⺮争
筝Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
争zheng1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 筝?
How to say guzheng, zither, string instrument in Chinese
“guzheng, zither, string instrument” in Chinese is筝zhēng
The character 筝 (zhēng) refers to a traditional Chinese string instrument known as the guzheng. It is typically played by plucking strings, and its rich, melodic tones are often used in both solo performances and ensemble settings, making it significant in Chinese music culture.
When to use 筝
Be cautious of the tone when pronouncing zhēng, as a mispronunciation can lead to confusion with other words. The term is often used in formal contexts related to music and culture. Common collocations include '演奏筝' (perform on the zheng) and '筝曲' (zheng music).
筝 or something close to it
古筝 (gǔzhēng) vs. 琵琶 (pípá) — choose 筝 when referring specifically to the guzheng, whereas 琵琶 refers to a different plucked string instrument.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 筝 with similar-sounding words due to the tone, mistakenly saying 'zheng' instead of 'zhēng'. Additionally, some might incorrectly use it in a modern context without understanding its traditional significance.
Write 筝
筝
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Practice writing 筝 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 筝
筝 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
富兰克林放风____的故事已经家喻户晓.
The story of Franklin's kite is known everywhere.
Example Sentences for 筝 (5)
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1
富兰克林放风筝的故事已经家喻户晓.
fù lán kè lín fàng fēng zhēng de gù shì yǐ jīng jiā yù hù xiǎo.
The story of Franklin's kite is known everywhere.
2
经常提到的一次欠考虑的实验是本杰明?富兰克林做的著名的在雷雨中放风筝实验.
jīng cháng tí dào de yī cì qiàn kǎo lǜ de shí yàn shì běn jié míng? ? fù lán kè lín zuò de zhù míng de zài léi yǔ zhōng fàng fēng zhēng shí.
An unwise experiment which is often mentioned is Benjamin Franklin's famous kite in a thunderstorm.
3
经常提到的一次欠考虑的实验是本杰明·富兰克林做的著名的在雷雨中放风筝实验.
jīng cháng tí dào de yī cì qiàn kǎo lǜ de shí yàn shì běn jié míng· · fù lán kè lín zuò de zhù míng de zài léi yǔ zhōng fàng fēng zhēng shí.
An unwise experiment which is often mentioned is Benjamin Franklin's famous kite in a understorm.
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Word Family of 筝
Words Containing This Character4
风筝fēngzhengkite風箏
古筝zither or guzheng古箏
筝zhēngJapanese koto箏
断线风筝a kite with cut string (idiom); fig. gone beyond recall斷線風箏
Exercise 1 of 3
Words with 筝
What does 风筝 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 筝
筝 (zhēng) is a larger, plucked string instrument with more strings, while 古琴 (gǔqín) is a smaller, more ancient instrument typically played with finger techniques.
Yes, the guzheng is increasingly used in contemporary music and fusion genres, showcasing its versatility.
Make sure to pronounce it with a high and level tone, as in zhēng, to distinguish it from similar-sounding words.
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