See Also: Pipa(medicine)
pipa(1)(dictionary)
pipa(2)(dictionary)
pipa(encyclopedia)

pipa (sh)




or p'i-p'a

Short-necked Chinese lute.

It has a pear-shaped body and a fretted fingerboard, and the silk strings are plucked with the fingernails. It is prominent in the opera orchestra and as an ensemble, solo, and accompanying instrument. The Japanese biwa is a similar instrument.