tì bà
Definition
- Noun:
- A pear-shaped, four-stringed lute: A traditional Vietnamese plucked string instrument with a distinctive pear-shaped body, a short neck, and four strings. It is a central instrument in Vietnamese court music (Nhã nhạc) and folk music.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Cô ấy chơi đàn tì bà rất điêu luyện. (She plays the tì bà very skillfully.)
- Âm thanh của cây tì bà nghe rất du dương. (The sound of the tì bà is very melodious.)
- Tì bà là một nhạc cụ quan trọng trong âm nhạc cung đình Huế. (The tì bà is an important instrument in Huế court music.)
Advanced Usage
- The is often used as a solo instrument or as part of an ensemble in traditional Vietnamese genres such as (Huế singing) and (Vietnamese court music).
Variants and Related Words
- Đàn tì bà (n): The full name, where "đàn" means "string instrument."
- Cô ấy mới mua một cây đàn tì bà mới. (She just bought a new đàn tì bà.)
Synonyms
- Vietnamese lute: A general English term describing the instrument's type and origin.
- Four-stringed lute: A descriptive term highlighting its key feature.
Cultural Note
- The Vietnamese is historically related to the Chinese , having been introduced to Vietnam centuries ago. It has since evolved to have a distinct Vietnamese character in its playing technique, repertoire, and role in music.