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), chiefly for a bowstring. 弦(げん) is the usual reading and the only one for musical instruments; 弦(つる) belongs mainly to archery and 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 2026.10.8 21:48

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