compose music; establish musical scales; play music
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesverb
to establish musical scales or temperament; to compose laws of music
archaicClassical usage referring to the creation of musical systems or scales, often associated with ancient sages or rulers. Rare in modern conversation.
Xī昔
zhě者
Huáng黄
dì帝
zuò作
yuè乐
yǐ以
tiáo调
yīn阴
yáng阳
。
In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor established musical scales to harmonize yin and yang.
Shèng圣
wáng王
zuò作
yuè乐
，
bù不
shì是
wèi为
le了
yú娱
lè乐
，
ér而
shì是
wèi为
le了
jiào教
huà化
bǎi百
xìng姓
。
When sage-kings composed music, it was not for entertainment, but to educate the people.
verb
to play music; to perform music
literaryMore literary or formal than 奏乐 or 演奏. Can refer to musical performance in classical contexts.
Gōng宫
tíng廷
yuè乐
shī师
kāi开
shǐ始
zuò作
yuè乐
，
yàn宴
huì会
zhèng正
shì式
kāi开
shǐ始
le了
。
The court musicians began to play music, and the banquet officially commenced.
Jì祭
sì祀
zhī之
shí时
，
zhōng钟
gǔ鼓
qí齐
míng鸣
，
zuò作
yuè乐
yǐ以
gào告
shén神
míng明
。
During the sacrifice, bells and drums sounded together, and music was played to announce to the gods.