HSK 6, ng, 14 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #11595, Hard
箫
xiāo
xiao, a free reed mouth organ with five or more pipes blown from the bottom
HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #11595, Hard
箫
xiāo
also translated as pan pipes
HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #11595, Hard
箫
xiāo
same as 排簫|排箫
HSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #11595, Hard
xiāo(xiao1) T1
1bamboo flute
2xiao, a free reed mouth organ with five or more pipes blown from the bottom
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March 24, 2026
箫(簫)xiāo(xiao1)
The character 箫 (xiāo) refers to a traditional Chinese bamboo flute, known for its melodious and soft sound. It is commonly used in Chinese music ensembles and can also refer to a type of mouth organ, specifically the pan pipes, which consist of multiple pipes of different lengths. The word is often associated with cultural performances and serene settings.
Strokes14Radical⺮Frequency#11595DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The 箫 (xiāo) has a deep-rooted place in Chinese culture, often associated with ancient poetry and serene landscapes. It is frequently featured in traditional performances and is symbolic of harmony and tranquility in Chinese art.
Memory Tip
Imagine a beautiful bamboo forest where a musician plays the 箫 (xiāo), the sound flowing like a gentle breeze. The character's component '竹' (bamboo) reminds you of the material used to make this flute, while '肖' suggests the soft, gentle sound that mimics a whispering breeze.
Meanings of 箫
xiāo(xiao1)
1bamboo flute
2xiao, a free reed mouth organ with five or more pipes blown from the bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 箫 means.
About 箫
箫Simplified
簫Traditional
14Strokes
⺮Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1
Podcast: 箫
Podcast: 箫
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AI Study Notes for 箫
Quick Contrast
笛 (dí) — use 箫 (xiāo) for the bamboo flute known for its soft sound, while 笛 (dí) refers specifically to a transverse flute with a sharper tone.
Usage Notes
When using 箫 (xiāo), remember it is typically used in a musical context, so it may not be appropriate in casual conversations. Common collocations include '吹箫' (to play the xiao) and '箫声' (the sound of the xiao). Be cautious with the tone; 'xiāo' must be pronounced with a high level tone to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 箫 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK level vocabulary related to music and instruments. Students should focus on the context of musical terms and practice using related words such as '乐器' (musical instrument) and '音乐' (music).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 箫 (xiāo) with similar-sounding terms like 哨 (shào), which means whistle. Remember that 箫 specifically refers to the bamboo flute, while 哨 is for a high-pitched sound made by blowing air.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 箫
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Etymology of 箫
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and 肃 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簫.
箫 = ⺮ + 肃. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 箫
IDS Structure⿱⺮肃
箫Full Character
=
⺮zhu2
top
肃Su4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 箫?
How to say bamboo flute in Chinese
“bamboo flute” in Chinese is箫xiāo
The character 箫 (xiāo) refers to a traditional Chinese bamboo flute, known for its melodious and soft sound. It is commonly used in Chinese music ensembles and can also refer to a type of mouth organ, specifically the pan pipes, which consist of multiple pipes of different lengths. The word is often associated with cultural performances and serene settings.
When to use 箫
When using 箫 (xiāo), remember it is typically used in a musical context, so it may not be appropriate in casual conversations. Common collocations include '吹箫' (to play the xiao) and '箫声' (the sound of the xiao). Be cautious with the tone; 'xiāo' must be pronounced with a high level tone to avoid confusion with other words.
箫 or something close to it
笛 (dí) — use 箫 (xiāo) for the bamboo flute known for its soft sound, while 笛 (dí) refers specifically to a transverse flute with a sharper tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 箫 (xiāo) with similar-sounding terms like 哨 (shào), which means whistle. Remember that 箫 specifically refers to the bamboo flute, while 哨 is for a high-pitched sound made by blowing air.
Write 箫
箫
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Word Family of 箫
Words Containing This Character4
箫xiāoxiao, a Chinese musical instrument of ancient times, similar to panpipes簫
排箫xiao, a Chinese musical instrument of ancient times, similar to panpipes排簫
吹箫to busk吹簫
吴市吹箫to beg while playing the xiao 箫 (mouth organ)吳市吹簫
Exercise 1 of 3
Words with 箫
What does 排箫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 箫
The 箫 is a bamboo flute that produces a softer, more ethereal sound compared to other flutes like the 笛 (dí), which is higher-pitched.
To play the 箫, hold it horizontally and blow gently into the bottom, using your fingers to cover the holes to create different notes.
While the 箫 is traditional, it is sometimes incorporated into modern compositions, blending classical and contemporary styles.
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