半音

bànyīn

noun #49,015

Measure Word

一个半音 gè

Meanings

1 semitone (smallest interval in standard Western music)
2 half step

Characters

Examples

把这个音降半音。

Bǎ zhège yīn jiàng bànyīn.

Lower this note by a semitone.

一个八度由十二个半音组成。

Yí ge bādù yóu shí'èr ge bànyīn zǔchéng.

An octave is made up of twelve semitones.

Tips

usage

Pair with 全音 (quányīn) 'whole tone.' In sheet-music context, 升半音 means 'sharpen by a semitone' and 降半音 means 'flatten by a semitone' — corresponding to ♯ and ♭.

Stroke Order

半 bàn

音 yīn