弹琵琶 tánpípa to play the pipa Definitions Defs Origin Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 弹 彈 tán verb to play; to flick to pluck or play a musical instrument; to flick or flip with the finger; to shoot (an object) with a catapult or by releasing a finger琵琶 pípa pipa A traditional Chinese lute with four strings and a pear-shaped body.