Which one is correct, "I can play erhu" or "I can play the erhu"? and why? We usually add "the" before the instrument, like when we say " I can play the guitar". while I heard that when we talked abou

刘旭

Which one is correct, "I can play erhu" or "I can play the erhu"? and why? We usually add "the" before the instrument, like when we say " I can play the guitar". while I heard that when we talked about Chinese instruments, we don’t use “the” before it. Is it correct?

Feb 25, 2020 4:31 AM

Answers · 4

I am not aware of a special rule regarding using “the” for Chinese instruments. For other instruments, at least in American English, using “the” is optional. “I can play [the] guitar,” “I can play [the] piano,” “I can play [the] oboe” — all sound equally natural. It seems to me that either way is fine for the erhu or other Chinese instruments as well.

February 25, 2020

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