Which instrument is known as a pear-shaped, plucked lute that has been popular in Chinese culture since the 7th century?

The instrument known as a pear-shaped, plucked lute that has gained popularity in Chinese culture since the 7th century is the pipa. This traditional Chinese instrument is characterized by its curved, lute-like shape and its distinctive sound produced by plucking its strings with the fingers or using plectrums. The pipa has a rich historical significance in Chinese music and is often associated with narrative storytelling and classical music ensembles.

In contrast, the erhu is a two-stringed bowed instrument, often called a "Chinese violin," that produces a very different timbre and is not plucked. The yangqin, which is a hammered dulcimer, is played with mallets and features a rectangular shape, quite unlike the pipa’s pear-like form. The dizi, a bamboo flute, is a wind instrument that also significantly differs in structure and playing technique from the pipa. Each of these instruments plays a unique role in Chinese music, but the pipa's specific design and historical context solidify its identification as the pear-shaped, plucked lute in question.