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sheng

sheng

9.9
A Chinese instrument you play by blowing into vertical pipes
  • noun
  • /ʃɛŋ/
  • Specialized
: sheng
  • The orchestra featured a soloist playing the sheng during the traditional Chinese piece.

Examples

  • She learned to play the sheng to connect with her cultural heritage.

  • The sheng produces a unique sound.

  • The unique sound of the sheng added depth to the ensemble's performance.

  • Can you play the sheng?

  • The musicians played a beautiful melody on their sheng during the cultural festival.

  • She has been learning to play the sheng for years, mastering both traditional and contemporary pieces.

  • At the concert, the sheng added a rich, harmonious sound to the ensemble.

Compounds

sheng nu
  • Slur
9.9

An educated woman in China who is unmarried in her late twenties or older

Surface Forms

sheng singular
shengs plural

Etymology

Sheng comes from the Chinese character 笙, the name for a mouth-blown instrument made of vertical pipes. Think of it like a small, portable 'organ' with reeds and pipes that you breathe into, which is why the word names that instrument.