弦(げん)

げん

noun

string (of a musical instrument); bowstring

music tool

1. string (of a musical instrument)

A stretched cord on a musical instrument such as a guitar, violin, or koto that produces sound when plucked or bowed.

ギターの弦(げん)が切(き)れた。

A guitar string broke.

新(あたら)しい弦(げん)に張(は)り替(か)えた。

I replaced the strings with new ones.

バイオリンは四(よん)本(ほん)の弦(げん)で様々(さまざま)な音(おと)を出(だ)す。

A violin produces various sounds with four strings.

2. bowstring

The string of a bow used in archery.

弓(ゆみ)の弦(げん)を引(ひ)く。

To draw a bowstring.

弓道(きゅうどう)では弦(げん)の張(は)り具合(ぐあい)が大切(たいせつ)だ。

In Japanese archery, the tension of the bowstring is important.

弦(げん)を弾(はじ)くと矢(や)が飛(と)んでいった。

When the bowstring was released, the arrow flew away.

弦(げん) can also be read as 弦(つる) with the same meanings. The reading 弦(げん) is more common in compounds and musical contexts, while 弦(つる) is used more in standalone or traditional contexts.

Common collocations

弦(げん)を張(は)る — to string (an instrument or bow)
弦(げん)を弾(ひ)く — to pluck a string
弦(げん)楽器(がっき) — stringed instrument
三味線(しゃみせん)の弦(げん) — shamisen string

Counting: Strings are counted with 本(ほん) (一本(いっぽん), 二本(にほん)...).

general

Added 2026.3.22 9:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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