yáogǔnyuè: 摇滚乐 - Rock and Roll, Rock Music

• Keywords: yáogǔnyuè, 摇滚乐, rock and roll in Chinese, Chinese rock music, rock music Chinese, Cui Jian, learn Chinese music terms, what is yaogunyue, Chinese rock bands
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè), the Chinese term for rock and roll music. This page breaks down the characters 摇 (shake), 滚 (roll), and 乐 (music) to show how they perfectly capture the essence of the genre. Learn about the immense cultural impact of 摇滚乐 in 1980s China as a symbol of rebellion and individualism, spearheaded by artists like Cui Jian. This guide provides practical example sentences and cultural context to help you understand and use yáogǔnyuè like a native speaker, whether you're discussing classic bands or modern indie scenes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yáogǔnyuè
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Rock and roll music.
• In a Nutshell: 摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè) is the direct Chinese translation for “rock and roll music.” It's a compound word that brilliantly combines the physical actions of “rocking” and “rolling” with the concept of “music.” While it originally referred to the classic genre, it's now used as a broad term for all forms of rock music, from soft rock to heavy metal, much like its English equivalent.

• 摇 (yáo): To shake, to rock, to wave. Imagine rocking a cradle or a tree shaking in the wind. It captures the physical movement and rhythm.
• 滚 (gǔn): To roll. Think of a ball rolling down a hill. This character adds to the sense of continuous, powerful motion.
• 乐 (yuè): Music. It's important to note this character has another pronunciation, `lè` (happy), but when referring to music, it is always `yuè`.

These three characters combine to form a perfect calque (a word-for-word translation) of “rock and roll music.” `摇 (yáo)` is “rock,” `滚 (gǔn)` is “roll,” and `乐 (yuè)` is “music.” The term is both a phonetic and semantic match for its English origin.

In the West, rock and roll was a form of youth rebellion in the 1950s and 60s. In China, its arrival in the 1980s carried a much heavier weight. After decades of collectivist ideology and state-controlled art, 摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè) burst onto the scene as a powerful and raw form of individual expression. The most crucial figure in this movement is Cui Jian (崔健), often called the “Godfather of Chinese Rock.” His 1986 song, “一无所有” (Yī Wú Suǒ Yǒu - “Nothing to My Name”), became the unofficial anthem for a generation of young people grappling with disillusionment and a desire for change. The song's raw vocals and honest lyrics about feeling lost and powerless resonated deeply and were famously sung by students during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Comparison with Western “Rock and Roll”: While both represent rebellion, Chinese 摇滚乐 was far more politically charged and socially significant in its early days. It wasn't just about challenging parental authority; it was about questioning an entire political and social system. It symbolized the “opening up” of China and a break from the past. In contrast, Western rock, while often counter-cultural, existed within a society that already had a long tradition of free expression. Chinese rock music was a new, explosive voice in a place where such voices were rare.

Today, the meaning of 摇滚乐 has broadened significantly. While it still carries a nostalgic, rebellious connotation for older generations, for younger Chinese people, it's often just another music genre.

• General Conversation: You can use it to talk about your musical tastes, your favorite bands, or going to concerts. It's a common, everyday term.
• Sub-genres: While 摇滚乐 is the umbrella term, people will often specify further, using loanwords like `朋克 (péngkè)` for punk or terms like `重金属 (zhòngjīnshǔ)` for heavy metal.
• Connotation: The connotation is generally neutral to positive. It can imply something is “cool,” “edgy,” or “energetic.” The overt political charge of the 80s and 90s has largely faded in mainstream usage, though many indie bands continue the tradition of social commentary.
• Formal vs. Informal: The term is used in both formal and informal contexts. You might see it in a music magazine review or hear it in a casual chat between friends.

• Example 1:
  • 我很喜欢听八十年代的中国摇滚乐。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xǐhuān tīng bāshí niándài de Zhōngguó yáogǔnyuè.
  • English: I really like listening to Chinese rock music from the 80s.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 摇滚乐 to refer to a specific era of music, highlighting its historical context.
• Example 2:
  • 崔健被很多人称为“中国摇滚乐教父”。
  • Pinyin: Cuī Jiàn bèi hěn duō rén chēngwéi “Zhōngguó yáogǔnyuè jiàofù”.
  • English: Cui Jian is called the “Godfather of Chinese Rock and Roll” by many people.
  • Analysis: This is a key cultural fact. The word `教父 (jiàofù)` means “godfather” and shows the immense respect for his role in the genre.
• Example 3:
  • 这个周末我们去看摇滚乐音乐节吧！
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhōumò wǒmen qù kàn yáogǔnyuè yīnyuèjié ba!
  • English: Let's go to the rock music festival this weekend!
  • Analysis: This shows a common activity associated with the term. A `音乐节 (yīnyuèjié)` is a music festival.
• Example 4:
  • 他的音乐风格融合了摇滚乐和传统民乐。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yīnyuè fēnggé rónghéle yáogǔnyuè hé chuántǒng mínyuè.
  • English: His musical style fuses rock music with traditional folk music.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how 摇滚乐 can be combined with other genres. `融合 (rónghé)` means to fuse or merge.
• Example 5:
  • 虽然我父母不太懂，但摇滚乐的精神永远不会过时。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ fùmǔ bú tài dǒng, dàn yáogǔnyuè de jīngshén yǒngyuǎn bú huì guòshí.
  • English: Although my parents don't really get it, the spirit of rock and roll will never go out of style.
  • Analysis: This touches on the abstract, cultural idea of the “spirit” (`精神 jīngshén`) of rock music.
• Example 6:
  • 这支乐队的摇滚乐充满了力量。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhī yuèduì de yáogǔnyuè chōngmǎnle lìliàng.
  • English: This band's rock music is full of power.
  • Analysis: A simple way to describe the feeling of rock music. `充满力量 (chōngmǎnle lìliàng)` means “full of power/strength.”
• Example 7:
  • 你更喜欢经典摇滚乐还是独立摇滚？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ gèng xǐhuān jīngdiǎn yáogǔnyuè háishì dúlì yáogǔn?
  • English: Do you prefer classic rock music or indie rock?
  • Analysis: This shows how the term can be modified to talk about sub-genres. Note the abbreviation of `独立摇滚乐` to `独立摇滚`.
• Example 8:
  • 他年轻时是一位摇滚乐歌手。
  • Pinyin: Tā niánqīng shí shì yí wèi yáogǔnyuè gēshǒu.
  • English: When he was young, he was a rock and roll singer.
  • Analysis: Here, 摇滚乐 acts as a descriptor for `歌手 (gēshǒu)`, meaning singer.
• Example 9:
  • 这首歌的吉他部分很有摇滚乐的感觉。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē de jítā bùfen hěn yǒu yáogǔnyuè de gǎnjué.
  • English: The guitar part of this song has a real rock-and-roll feel.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about the “feel” or “vibe” (`感觉 gǎnjué`) of rock music within a song.
• Example 10:
  • 对一些人来说，摇滚乐不仅仅是音乐，更是一种生活态度。
  • Pinyin: Duì yìxiē rén lái shuō, yáogǔnyuè bùjǐnjǐn shì yīnyuè, gèng shì yì zhǒng shēnghuó tàidù.
  • English: For some people, rock and roll is not just music, but an attitude towards life.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the deeper philosophical and cultural meaning attached to the genre. `生活态度 (shēnghuó tàidù)` means “life attitude.”

• Pronunciation Pitfall: A very common mistake for learners is confusing the two pronunciations of `乐`. In 摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè), it is always pronounced `yuè` (music). The pronunciation `lè` means “happy” (e.g., `快乐 kuàilè`). Saying `yáogǔnlè` is incorrect and will sound strange to a native speaker.
• `摇滚` vs. `摇滚乐`: The term `摇滚 (yáogǔn)` can be used on its own as an adjective or a shorter noun.
  • `摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè)` specifically refers to the music itself. (e.g., 我喜欢听摇滚乐 - I like to listen to rock music).
  • `摇滚 (yáogǔn)` can be used as an adjective meaning “rock-style.” (e.g., 这是一种摇滚风格 - This is a rock style). It can also be a shorthand for the music. (e.g., 他在玩摇滚 - He plays rock). Using `摇滚乐` is generally clearer when you mean the noun “rock music.”
• Broadness of the Term: Don't assume 摇滚乐 only means 1950s Elvis-style rock and roll. Just like in English, it's a huge umbrella term in Chinese that covers The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Green Day, and modern Chinese indie bands.

• 音乐 (yīnyuè): Music. The general category that 摇滚乐 falls under.
• 乐队 (yuèduì): Band. A group that plays music, very often used for rock bands.
• 吉他 (jítā): Guitar. The quintessential instrument of rock music. This is a phonetic loanword.
• 崔健 (Cuī Jiàn): The single most important figure in the history of Chinese rock. Understanding him is key to understanding the genre's cultural context.
• 流行音乐 (liúxíng yīnyuè): Pop music. Often seen as the mainstream counterpart or rival to rock music.
• 朋克 (péngkè): Punk. A major sub-genre of rock, the name is a phonetic loanword.
• 金属乐 (jīnshǔyuè): Metal music. Literally “metal music,” another key sub-genre.
• 演唱会 (yǎnchànghuì): Concert. Literally “perform-sing-meeting,” this is where you go to see a live rock show.
• 独立音乐 (dúlì yīnyuè): Indie music. The modern evolution of the rock spirit for many young Chinese artists.
• 一无所有 (yīwúsuǒyǒu): “Nothing to My Name.” The title of Cui Jian's most famous song and a culturally significant phrase.