西乐 (xī lè) — Western music

Definition

Literary/formal term for Western (European-derived) music, commonly used in academic and institutional contexts. Pairs with 中国古典音乐 and 民乐 (Chinese traditional/folk music) as a contrast.

noun
Western music
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 西乐，。
    Tā bǐ jiào xǐ huan xī lè, bú tài tīng zhōng guó gǔ diǎn yīn yuè.
    He prefers Western music; he doesn't listen to Chinese classical music much.
  • 西乐。
    Zhè jiā yīn yuè xué yuàn zhǔ yào jiào shòu xī lè hé jué shì yuè.
    This music school mainly teaches Western music and jazz.
  • 西乐。
    Wǒ men xué xiào de hé chàng tuán jì chàng zhōng guó mín gē yòu chàng xī lè.
    Our school choir sings both Chinese folk songs and Western music.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

西xīWestern
乐lèmusic

西 points to the West and 乐 to music, so the word names music from Western traditions.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 西 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 樂; 乐 is its simplified writing.

In the traditional form 樂, 絲 (string) with 木 (wood) shows strings on a piece of wood, a musical instrument; the simplified 乐 is a later shorthand.

Open 乐 →

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