With intuitive visuals and simple language, this is a learning resource designed for foreigners who wish to learn Chinese characters and the culture that they represent.

乐(yuè)

Music

   

      jiǎ ɡǔ wén          xiǎo zhuàn           kǎi tǐ

    ( 甲 骨 文)       (小  篆)           (楷 体)

甲骨文的“乐”字是丝弦乐器放在木架上的样子;金文添加了“日”字,整个字就变成了木架上摆放了丝弦乐器和打击乐器。所以后来“乐”指所有乐器的总称,又指音乐。

(jiǎɡǔwén de "yuè"zì shì sīxián yuèqì fànɡzài mùjià shànɡ de yànɡzi;jīnwén tiānjiāle “rì”zì,zhěnɡɡèzì jiù biànchénɡle mùjià shànɡ bǎifànɡle sīxián yuèqì hé dǎjī yuèqì。suǒyǐ hòulái“yuè”zhǐ suǒyǒu yuèqì de zǒnɡchēnɡ,yòu zhǐ yīnyuè。)

The bottom part of the character of the oracle bone script for"乐"looks like a stringed musical instrument on a wooden frame. The bronze script character for"乐"adds character "日". The character was then transformed into a stringed musical instrument and a percussion instrument on a wooden frame. Later, the character"乐"came to be used as a generic term for all instrument, as well as music.

Examples

Phrase Pinyin English
yuè (surname); music
乐队 yuèduì band
乐府 yuèfǔ yue fu (Chinese poetry style)
乐器 yuèqì musical instrument
乐清 Yuèqīnɡ (N) Yueqing (city in Zhejiang)

 

 

 

 

 

Tips

The character"乐" is polyphonic because of its multi-pronunciation. You can utter the character "yuè"or"lè". These two have different meanings. There are lots of polyphones in Chinese characters. Take it easy, you will find it easier if you put your heart into it! After all, where there is a will,there is a way! Come on!