1. Literal and Common Translations

Da Tanggu 

• The most standard modern name.
• Da = Large / Big
• Tang ​ = Hall / Court / Public gathering space
• Gu ​ = Drum
• Implies a “large drum used in halls or public ceremonial spaces.”

Large Hall Drum / Great Hall Drum

• Common literal English translations.
• Emphasize its size and traditional indoor/courtyard performance context.

Chinese Large Barrel Drum

• A descriptive term based on its cylindrical wooden shell shape.
• Often used in instrument catalogs and museum labels.

2. Historical and Traditional Alternative Names

Tanggu (“Hall Drum”)

• The generic form without “Da (Large).”
• Historically referred to medium-to-large drums used in:
  • Imperial court music (Yayue)
  • Opera ensembles (especially Jingju / Peking Opera)
  • Temple and ritual ceremonies
• In many texts, “Tanggu” and “Da Tanggu” are used interchangeably, though Tanggu can also refer to slightly smaller variants.

Zhanggu (“Stick Drum”) – Context-Dependent

• While Zhanggu historically refers to a different type of narrow-waisted drum (similar to the Korean janggu), in some regional opera vernacular “gu played with sticks” might be loosely described this way.
• Not a precise synonym, but occasionally encountered in older or dialect-based descriptions.

Yinggu (“Camp/Battalion Drum”) – Historical/Military Context

• Large drums used in ancient military camps for commands, timekeeping, and morale.
• The predecessor of some large outdoor Tanggu forms; in historical discussions, the Da Tanggu is sometimes traced back to the Yinggu tradition.

Xuangu (“Suspended Drum”) – Structural Reference

• Refers to large drums hung on frames rather than placed on stands.
• Since many Da Tanggu are mounted on large cradles or frames, classical texts may describe them as Xuangu.

  

3. Regional, Functional, and Stylistic Names

Huapen Gu (“Flowerpot Drum”) – Related but Distinct

• A visually similar but acoustically different large drum with a flared body (wider at the top, narrower at the base like a flowerpot).
• Often confused with the Da Tanggu because of overlapping size and usage.
• In professional contexts, they are separate instruments:
  • Da Tanggu:​ Straight cylindrical barrel
  • Huapen Gu:​ Curved, flowerpot-shaped body with greater sustain
• However, in casual conversation or some regional troupes, the names may be used loosely.

Luogu  Ensemble Reference

• Not a name for the drum itself, but important context:
  “Luogu” means gongs-and-drums ensemble. Within a Luogu context, the largest drum is often the Da Tanggu, so it may be referred to simply as “the big gu ( Daggu)”​ in ensemble slang.

Daggu (“Big Drum”)

• A generic term for any large drum in Chinese.
• When specificity is not required, people may just say Daggu—but in professional Chinese orchestra or opera writing, Da Tanggu is preferred to avoid ambiguity.

4. Names in Performance and Western Equivalents

Chinese Timpani? – Not Accurate, but Occasionally Compared

• Because the Da Tanggu is large and can produce low pitches, beginners sometimes loosely associate it with timpani.
• This is not correct: timpani are kettle drums with pedal tuning; Da Tanggu is a membranophone with rope or lug tension and no definite pitch in traditional use.
• Still, program notes occasionally say “Chinese large drum (similar in role to timpani in power)” for audience familiarity.

  

Taiko (Japanese) / Buk (Korean) – Cross-Cultural Reference

• Not synonyms, but often compared:
  • Taiko​ (especially Ōdaiko): Japanese large barrel drum
  • Buk / Puk: Korean large drum
• In world-music introductions, the Da Tanggu may be described as “the Chinese counterpart to the Japanese Ōdaiko or Korean Buk,” though each has distinct construction, technique, and cultural meaning.

5. Summary Table of Names and Terms

6. Conclusion

• Da Tanggu​ (standard),
• Tanggu​ (when size is clear from context),
• or translated as Large Hall Drum​ or Chinese Large Barrel Drum.