Erhu
The erhu in five languages: Italian, German and French use the Chinese name; not simply a Chinese violin
Related
Five languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 二胡（南胡） |
| English | erhu |
| Italian | — |
| German | — |
| French | — |
The erhu is China's two-string bowed instrument of the huqin family. Its small soundbox is covered with python skin, the neck has no fingerboard, and the bow passes between the two strings; the left hand stops the strings with the fingertips, which makes slides and vibrato unusually free. Its voice is close to the human voice, and it serves as a solo instrument, in ensembles and in opera.
Watch out: English often calls the erhu a "Chinese violin", but that is only an analogy — no fingerboard, a bow threaded between the strings, and a different timbre and shifting logic. It is not an equivalent of the violin. Italian, German and French have no established native name and normally use the Chinese erhu (German Erhu).
Read deeper → Erhu
Sources
- 名称与形制，参《中国音乐词典》与 The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "Erhu"；译名参通行音乐术语词典；本文为原创表述
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.