Ruan
/ˈruː.ɑːn/noun
A Chinese plucked-string instrument with a round body and a long fretted neck, resembling a lute.
Did you know?The ruan is traditionally associated with Ruan Xian, a third-century Chinese musician celebrated as one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
阮
“A surname and written name; the character was not originally a generic word for the instrument.”
3rd Century
Chinese
阮咸
“Ruan Xian, a musician and bamboo-grove sage traditionally associated with playing an early form of the instrument.”
Medieval Chinese
Chinese
阮咸
“The instrument became known by Ruan Xian’s name, referring to a round-bodied plucked lute.”
20th Century
English
ruan
“An English loanword for the modern Chinese lute family, including soprano, alto, tenor, and bass forms.”