se
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for se, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large Chinese plucked string instrument similar to a zither, traditionally strung with 25 strings and played horizontally.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Mandarin 瑟 (sè), the name of the instrument in Chinese for over two thousand years.
Full origin of se →Frequently asked questions
What does “se” mean?
The word “se” means a large Chinese plucked string instrument similar to a zither, traditionally strung with 25 strings and played horizontally. In plain terms, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, like a long zither laid flat and plucked.
How do you pronounce “se”?
“Se” is pronounced seh (/sɛ/ in IPA).
How do you use “se” in a sentence?
Here is “se” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed an ancient se alongside other court instruments from the Zhou dynasty.”
What part of speech is “se”?
“Se” is a noun.
Where does the word “se” come from?
The word “se” comes from Chinese. From Mandarin 瑟 (sè), the name of the instrument in Chinese for over two thousand years.
Is “se” a common word?
“Se” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between the "se" and the guzheng?
The se is a large ancient Chinese plucked zither traditionally strung with 25 strings, while the guzheng is a related but later instrument that today usually has 21 strings and movable bridges. Both are plucked and played horizontally, but the se is the older of the two.
What is the difference between the "se" and the guqin?
The se and the guqin are both ancient Chinese zithers often mentioned together, but the se has around 25 strings whereas the guqin typically has only 7. The two were historically paired in classical Chinese music.
How is the "se" played?
The se is a plucked string instrument, meaning its strings are sounded with the fingers rather than bowed or struck. It is laid horizontally and played from that position, traditionally carrying 25 strings across its long wooden body.