Music in Chinese
A practical list of beginner to intermediate Chinese music vocabulary covering instruments, genres, actions and technical terms. Great for understanding song lyrics, talking about concerts and production, and practicing everyday music-related conversations.
- 音乐 yīnyuè — music
- 歌曲 gēqǔ — song; musical composition
- 歌手 gēshǒu — singer (a person who sings professionally or as a hobby)
- 唱歌 chànggē — to sing a song; to sing
- 乐队 yuèduì — band; pop group
- 乐器 yuèqì — musical instrument
- 钢琴 gāngqín — piano (musical instrument)
- 吉他 jítā — guitar; CL: 把[ba3]
- 鼓 gǔ — drum (musical instrument)
- 小提琴 xiǎotíqín — violin; fiddle
- 长笛 chángdí — concert flute (Western)
- 电子 diànzǐ — electronic (relating to devices or technology that use electrons/electric circuits)
- 古典 gǔdiǎn — classical; of a traditional, long-established style or form (e.g. music, literature, architecture)
- 流行 liúxíng — popular; fashionable; in vogue
- 摇滚 yáogǔn — rock 'n' roll; rock music
- 爵士 juéshì — jazz (music genre; loanword)
- 民谣 mínyáo — ballad; folk song
- 民乐 mínyuè — folk music, especially music for traditional Chinese instruments
- 京剧 jīngjù — Beijing opera; Peking opera (traditional Chinese theatrical form combining music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics)
- 歌词 gēcí — song lyric; lyrics
- 曲调 qǔdiào — tune; melody
- 节拍 jiépāi — beat (music); meter
- 节奏 jiézòu — rhythm; tempo; musical pulse; cadence; beat
- 旋律 xuánlǜ — melody; tune
- 合唱 héchàng — chorus; choir (a group that sings together)
- 独唱 dúchàng — solo (a musical/ vocal solo performance)
- 演唱会 yǎnchànghuì — concert; vocal recital
- 表演 biǎoyǎn — to perform; to act; to do a show; to demonstrate (a skill)
- 制作 zhìzuò — to make; to manufacture; to produce (works, products)
- 录音 lùyīn — to record sound (to make an audio recording)
- 专辑 zhuānjí — album; record (music); a collection of musical tracks released together
- 排练 páiliàn — to rehearse
- 作曲 zuòqǔ — to compose (music)
- 作词 zuòcí — to write lyrics; lyric-writing (of a song)
- 指挥 zhǐhuī — to conduct (an orchestra); to direct musical performance
- 声音 shēngyīn — voice; sound
- 嗓音 sǎngyīn — voice (the sound produced by a person's throat; vocal tone)
- 音调 yīndiào — pitch of voice (high or low); pitch (of a musical note); tone
- 音阶 yīnjiē — musical scale
- 和弦 héxián — (music) chord
- 速度 sùdù — speed; rate; velocity (how fast something moves or happens)
- 节奏感 jiézòugǎn — sense of rhythm; ability to keep or feel rhythm
- 音量 yīnliàng — loudness; (sound) volume
- 风格 fēnggé — style; manner; distinctive way of doing or presenting something
- 歌迷 gēmí — fan of a singer; admirer of a singer
- 播放 bōfàng — to broadcast; to transmit (by radio or TV); to play (audio/video)
- 下载 xiàzǎi — to download (a file, program, etc.)