古箏不是Chinese Guitar！聊聊中國樂器的“英文名”

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今天是早安英文陪你一起進步的第11年又118天

跟外國朋友介紹中國文化，你是不是也有過這種經歷？

指著電視里的民樂演奏，想安利一波，話到嘴邊卻卡了殼。這個“拉”的叫啥？那個“彈”的又是啥？情急之下，只能蹦出 “Chinese violin” 或者 “Chinese guitar” 這種中式英語，尷尬得腳趾摳出一座翰林院。

今天咱就來扒一扒，那些讓我們在國際交流中“社死”的樂器，到底該怎么用英文體面地介紹。

1.彈撥樂器

(Plucked String Instruments)

這類樂器是靠“彈”和“撥”發聲的，是民樂團里的“顏值擔當”和“氛圍組”。

古箏 (Guzheng): 不是Chinese Harp

很多人第一反應是“Chinese harp” 或 “Chinese zither”。Zither（齊特琴）在方向上是對的，但不夠精確。最好的方式，就是直接用拼音，然后加一點點解釋。

詞匯的英文是 Guzheng。這是一種中國古代的彈撥樂器，有著超過2500年的歷史。它是一種大型的齊特琴，通常有21根或更多的弦和可移動的琴碼。

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. (古箏的聲音常被形容為流水潺潺或滾滾雷鳴。)

下次再介紹，別說“Chinese harp” 了，直接說 “Guzheng”，然后云淡風輕地補充一句 “a Chinese zither”，文化B格瞬間拉滿。

琵琶(Pipa):四弦的“梨形魯特琴”

看到琵琶，很多人會想到吉他，但它倆真不是一回事。琵琶是豎著抱的，而且沒有“品”（frets）。

詞匯的英文是 Pipa。它是一種四弦的中國樂器，有時被稱為“中國魯特琴”。它的梨形琴身和獨特的演奏技巧使其聲音極具表現力。

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. (琵琶以其寬廣的動態范圍和高超的獨奏曲目而聞名。)

魯特琴（lute）是歐洲的一種古老撥弦樂器，用它來類比，能讓老外秒懂琵琶的“江湖地位”。

2.拉弦樂器
(Bowed String Instruments)

如果說彈撥樂器是清脆的詩句，那拉弦樂器就是悠長的詠嘆調。

二胡(Erhu):真不是Chinese Violin

這是中式英語的重災區。“Chinese violin” 這個說法，幾乎每個中國人都用過。但二胡只有兩根弦，而且它的音色和演奏方式都和西洋小提琴截然不同。

詞匯的英文是 Erhu。它是一種兩弦的弓弦樂器，是胡琴家族的一員。它的聲音以其如泣如訴、酷似人聲的特點而聞名。

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傳達出一種深沉的憂郁和渴望。)

記住，直接說“Erhu”，如果對方感興趣，你可以補充說它是一種 “two-stringed fiddle”，但絕不是 “violin”。

3.吹管樂器

(Wind Instruments)

吹管樂器是民樂的“靈魂歌者”，氣息之間，故事自來。

笛子(Dizi) vs.簫(Xiao):橫吹為笛，豎吹為簫

這兩個經常被搞混，簡單來說，一個橫著吹，一個豎著吹。

笛子的英文是 Dizi。它是一種橫向吹奏的中國竹笛，通常在笛身和吹孔之間有一個獨特的“膜孔”，這層薄膜賦予了笛子明亮、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.

簫的英文是 Xiao。它是一種豎向吹奏的竹笛，音色比笛子更柔和、深沉，常用于表達寧靜或憂傷的情感。

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. (笛子適合歡快的民間小調，而簫則擅長表現沉思和深情的旋律。)

下次區分不清，就記住：像俠客一樣橫著吹的是笛子，像書生一樣豎著吹的是簫。

快速詞匯表

?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.

(她從六歲起就開始練習古箏了。)

?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.

(音樂會上的那段琵琶獨奏簡直驚為天人。)

?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.

(許多外國人都被二胡那哀婉的聲音所吸引。)

?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.

(在民族音樂中，笛子清脆的聲音常常引領整個樂隊。)

?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.

(他在月光下用簫吹奏了一曲令人難以忘懷的旋律。)

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

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

(吉他和琵琶都屬于彈撥樂器。)

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

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

(小提琴和二胡都屬于弓弦樂器。)

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