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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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