Which Chinese instrument is a bowed lute?

• A. Oratorio
• B. Mambo
• C. Erhu
• D. Kabuki

Answer: (C)

The instrument in question is a Chinese bowed string instrument with a lute‑like body. The erhu fits this description: it’s a traditional Chinese instrument in the huqin family, with a long neck and a small, snake-skin‑covered resonator. It has two strings, and the bow is drawn between them to produce sound. The left hand presses the strings to change pitch along the neck, much like a violin. Because of its body shape and the way it’s played with a bow, it’s often described as a bowed lute. This makes it distinct from the other terms, which refer to a Western vocal-orchestral form, a Cuban music style, and a Japanese theater form, none of which describe a Chinese bowed string instrument.