thập lục
Definition
- Noun:
- A sixteen-stringed zither: A traditional Vietnamese plucked string instrument, a type of zither, characterized by having sixteen strings. It is a member of the đàn tranh (zither) family.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy chơi đàn thập lục rất điêu luyện. (She plays the sixteen-stringed zither very skillfully.)
- Âm thanh của cây thập lục rất trong trẻo và du dương. (The sound of the sixteen-stringed zither is very clear and melodious.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "thập lục" is often used in historical or formal musical contexts to specify this particular string count. In modern common usage, the instrument is more generally referred to as "đàn tranh" (Vietnamese zither), which can have 16, 17, or more strings.
Variants and Related Words
- Đàn tranh (n): Vietnamese zither. This is the general name for the instrument family. is a specific type of .
- Đàn tranh là nhạc cụ dân tộc quan trọng của Việt Nam. (The đàn tranh is an important traditional instrument of Vietnam.)
Synonyms
- Sixteen-stringed zither: A direct descriptive translation.
- Zither: A broader category of stringed instruments.
Notes on Etymology
- The word "thập lục" is of Sino-Vietnamese origin, meaning "sixteen" ( = ten, = six). The name directly describes the instrument's defining feature: its sixteen strings.