乐器 (yuè qì) — Chinese Word

noun HSK 4

Traditional 樂器

yuè qì

musical instrument

Meaning

乐器 refers to any device or object used to create music, encompassing everything from traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu to Western instruments like the piano. The term literally combines 'music' (乐) and 'instrument/tool' (器).

Usage

This is a general term used in both formal and informal contexts. When discussing specific instruments, Chinese speakers typically use 乐器 as a category word. It's commonly used in phrases like '演奏乐器' (to play a musical instrument) or '学习乐器' (to learn a musical instrument). The word appears frequently in educational contexts and music-related discussions.

Examples

01
她从小就开始学习各种乐器。
Tā cóng xiǎo jiù kāi shǐ xué xí gè zhǒng yuè qì.
She has been learning various musical instruments since childhood.
02
这家商店专门出售传统的民族乐器。
Zhè jiā shāng diàn zhuān mén chū shòu chuán tǒng de mín zú yuè qì.
This store specializes in selling traditional ethnic musical instruments.

Characters

Measure words

件jiàn一件乐器
种zhǒng很多种乐器

Common collocations

演奏乐器
yǎn zòu yuè qì
to play a musical instrument
学习乐器
xué xí yuè qì
to learn a musical instrument
民族乐器
mín zú yuè qì
traditional/ethnic musical instruments
西洋乐器
xī yáng yuè qì
Western musical instruments

Origin

The character 器 originally depicted multiple mouths or vessels, representing vessels or tools. Combined with 乐 (music), it straightforwardly creates the meaning 'music tool' or 'musical instrument'.