古筝不是Chinese Guitar！聊聊中国乐器的“英文名”

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今天是早安英文陪你一起进步的第11年又118天

跟外国朋友介绍中国文化，你是不是也有过这种经历？

指着电视里的民乐演奏，想安利一波，话到嘴边却卡了壳。这个“拉”的叫啥？那个“弹”的又是啥？情急之下，只能蹦出 “Chinese violin” 或者 “Chinese guitar” 这种中式英语，尴尬得脚趾抠出一座翰林院。

今天咱就来扒一扒，那些让我们在国际交流中“社死”的乐器，到底该怎么用英文体面地介绍。

1.弹拨乐器

(Plucked String Instruments)

这类乐器是靠“弹”和“拨”发声的，是民乐团里的“颜值担当”和“氛围组”。

古筝 (Guzheng): 不是Chinese Harp

很多人第一反应是“Chinese harp” 或 “Chinese zither”。Zither（齐特琴）在方向上是对的，但不够精确。最好的方式，就是直接用拼音，然后加一点点解释。

词汇的英文是 Guzheng。这是一种中国古代的弹拨乐器，有着超过2500年的历史。它是一种大型的齐特琴，通常有21根或更多的弦和可移动的琴码。

The proper term is Guzheng. It's an ancient Chinese plucked instrument with a history of over 2,500 years. Think of it as a large zither, typically with 21 or more strings and movable bridges.

例句：

The sound of the Guzheng is often described as rippling water or rolling thunder. (古筝的声音常被形容为流水潺潺或滚滚雷鸣。)

下次再介绍，别说“Chinese harp” 了，直接说 “Guzheng”，然后云淡风轻地补充一句 “a Chinese zither”，文化B格瞬间拉满。

琵琶(Pipa):四弦的“梨形鲁特琴”

看到琵琶，很多人会想到吉他，但它俩真不是一回事。琵琶是竖着抱的，而且没有“品”（frets）。

词汇的英文是 Pipa。它是一种四弦的中国乐器，有时被称为“中国鲁特琴”。它的梨形琴身和独特的演奏技巧使其声音极具表现力。

The English term is Pipa. It's a four-stringed Chinese instrument, sometimes called the “Chinese lute.” Its pear-shaped body and unique playing techniques make its sound incredibly expressive.

例句：

The Pipa is famous for its wide dynamic range and virtuosic solo pieces. (琵琶以其宽广的动态范围和高超的独奏曲目而闻名。)

鲁特琴（lute）是欧洲的一种古老拨弦乐器，用它来类比，能让老外秒懂琵琶的“江湖地位”。

2.拉弦乐器
(Bowed String Instruments)

如果说弹拨乐器是清脆的诗句，那拉弦乐器就是悠长的咏叹调。

二胡(Erhu):真不是Chinese Violin

这是中式英语的重灾区。“Chinese violin” 这个说法，几乎每个中国人都用过。但二胡只有两根弦，而且它的音色和演奏方式都和西洋小提琴截然不同。

词汇的英文是 Erhu。它是一种两弦的弓弦乐器，是胡琴家族的一员。它的声音以其如泣如诉、酷似人声的特点而闻名。

The instrument is called the Erhu. It's a two-stringed bowed instrument, part of the huqin family. Its sound is famous for being soul-stirring and voice-like.

例句：

The melody played on the Erhu can convey a profound sense of melancholy and longing. (用二胡演奏的旋律能传达出一种深沉的忧郁和渴望。)

记住，直接说“Erhu”，如果对方感兴趣，你可以补充说它是一种 “two-stringed fiddle”，但绝不是 “violin”。

3.吹管乐器

(Wind Instruments)

吹管乐器是民乐的“灵魂歌者”，气息之间，故事自来。

笛子(Dizi) vs.箫(Xiao):横吹为笛，竖吹为箫

这两个经常被搞混，简单来说，一个横着吹，一个竖着吹。

笛子的英文是 Dizi。它是一种横向吹奏的中国竹笛，通常在笛身和吹孔之间有一个独特的“膜孔”，这层薄膜赋予了笛子明亮、清脆的音色。

This is a Dizi, a Chinese transverse (side-blown) bamboo flute. It has a unique “membrane hole” between the blowhole and finger holes, which gives it a bright, buzzing timbre.

箫的英文是 Xiao。它是一种竖向吹奏的竹笛，音色比笛子更柔和、深沉，常用于表达宁静或忧伤的情感。

This is a Xiao, an end-blown bamboo flute. Its tone is much softer and mellower than the Dizi, often used to express tranquility or sorrow.

例句：

While the Dizi is perfect for lively folk tunes, the Xiao excels in contemplative and soulful melodies. (笛子适合欢快的民间小调，而箫则擅长表现沉思和深情的旋律。)

下次区分不清，就记住：像侠客一样横着吹的是笛子，像书生一样竖着吹的是箫。

快速词汇表

•Guzheng(n.): A Chinese plucked zither with a rich history and resonant sound.

◦例句：She has been practicing the Guzheng since she was six.

(她从六岁起就开始练习古筝了。)

•Pipa(n.): A pear-shaped Chinese lute known for its expressive and dramatic capabilities.

◦例句：The Pipa solo in the concert was absolutely breathtaking.

(音乐会上的那段琵琶独奏简直惊为天人。)

•Erhu(n.): A two-stringed Chinese bowed instrument with a soulful, voice-like quality.

◦例句：Many foreigners are captivated by the mournful sound of the Erhu.

(许多外国人都被二胡那哀婉的声音所吸引。)

•Dizi(n.): A Chinese transverse bamboo flute with a bright and reedy tone.

◦例句：The crisp sound of the Dizi often leads the orchestra in folk music.

(在民族音乐中，笛子清脆的声音常常引领整个乐队。)

•Xiao(n.): A Chinese end-blown bamboo flute with a soft and mellow sound.

◦例句：He played a haunting melody on the Xiao under the moonlight.

(他在月光下用箫吹奏了一曲令人难以忘怀的旋律。)

•Plucked(adj.): Describes an instrument played by pulling and releasing the strings.

◦例句：The guitar and the Pipa are both plucked string instruments.

(吉他和琵琶都属于弹拨乐器。)

•Bowed(adj.): Describes an instrument played with a bow.

◦例句：The violin and the Erhu are both bowed string instruments.

(小提琴和二胡都属于弓弦乐器。)

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