乐器
The English word "instrument" (referring to a musical device) is translated into Chinese as 乐器.
The term 乐器 is used to refer to musical instruments. When speaking colloquially about playing a musical instrument, you can use the phrase 玩乐器. For a more formal way to say "to play/perform an instrument", you would use 演奏.
Meaning: musical device (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 乐器 is a compound of 乐 (music) and 器 (tool/device/instrument).
Which one should you use?
Use 乐器 specifically for musical instruments. Do not confuse it with the broader term 仪器, which should be used for scientific or precision instruments.
Did you know?
- The character 乐 in 乐器 is a heteronym. When read as lè, it means 'happiness' or 'joy', but when read as yuè in the context of instruments, it means 'music'.
- The character 器 used in 乐器 is also used to describe a person's talent or capacity. To call someone a 大器 is to say they have the 'vessel' or potential for great success.
- The character 器 (tool/device) is also used in the word for 'container' or 'vessel', such as in 容器 (container). This connects musical instruments to the concept of an object that holds or contains something.
Examples in context
- 除了钢琴以外，还会玩什么乐器吗？Do you play any instrument other than the piano?This sentence is useful for asking if someone plays any 乐器 besides the piano.Tatoeba #5096745 by mirrorvan, translation #4486536 by CK
- 钢琴是和弦乐器，笛子是单音乐器。The piano is a chord instrument, while the flute is a monophonic instrument.This sentence is useful for distinguishing between a chord instrument and a monophonic 乐器.Tatoeba #13921101 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13921104 by jan_OkulaJu
- 蛋黄酱是一种乐器吗？Is mayonnaise an instrument?This sentence is useful for asking if mayonnaise is an 乐器.Tatoeba #10621715 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10087522 by espamatics
- 这个博物馆有很多乐器。This museum has many musical instruments.
- 请问你会弹乐器吗？Excuse me, do you know how to play a musical instrument?
- 我们玩的是一种新式吉他玩意儿。We are playing a new type of guitar thing.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你会演奏什么乐器吗？Nǐ huì yànzòu shénme yuèqì ma？Do you play any musical instruments?
- 俊杰 Junjie我会弹吉他，你呢？Wǒ huì tán jítā, nǐ ne？I play the guitar, and you?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想学一种新的乐器。Wǒ xiǎng xué yī zhǒng xīn de yuèqì。I want to learn a new instrument.
- 俊杰 Junjie那你可以试试小提琴。Nà nǐ kěyǐ shìshì xiǎotíqín。Then you could try the violin.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
