jin4 sok3絃索弦索

Jyutpingjin4 sok3

Yaleyìhn sok

Definition

String instruments; also, the strings of a musical instrument.

writtenother

How it's used

Refers specifically to the strings of traditional Chinese musical instruments rather than modern western ones. It often carries a slightly literary or formal tone, frequently appearing in contexts describing classical music or traditional performances. While technically accurate for any string, it is rarely used in casual conversation to describe something like a guitar.

Measure word

tiu4條tìuh

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好zung1鍾ji3意teng1聽ni1呢di1啲jin4絃sok3索zi1之jam1音。

He really enjoys listening to this kind of string music.

le1呢gin2件ngok6樂hei3器ge3嘅jin4絃sok3索hou2好ci5似sung1鬆zo2咗。

The strings of this instrument seem to have loosened.

Common phrases

jin4絃sok3索zi1之jam1音

the sound of string instruments

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the word 弦, which is the more common character used for the strings of modern instruments. 絃索 is almost exclusively reserved for traditional contexts and is not used for everyday items like tennis racket strings or modern orchestral equipment.