Balalaika vs. Banjo — What's the Difference?

The balalaika (Russian: балала́йка, pronounced [bəɫɐˈɫajkə]) is a Russian stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden, hollow body, fretted neck and three strings. Two strings are usually tuned to the same note and the third string is a perfect fourth higher.

The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and usually made of plastic, or occasionally animal skin.

A Russian musical instrument with a triangular body and three strings that produces sounds similar to those of a mandolin.

A usually fretted stringed instrument having a narrow neck and a hollow circular body with a covering of plastic or stretched skin on which the bridge rests. The modern American banjo typically has four strings and often a short fifth string plucked with the thumb.

A plucked stringed instrument with a triangular body, short neck and three strings, of Russian origin.

A stringed musical instrument (chordophone), usually with a round body, a membrane-like soundboard and a fretted neck, played by plucking or strumming the strings.

A stringed instrument of Russian origin that has a triangular body and three strings.

Any of various similar musical instruments, such as the Tuvan doshpuluur, with a membrane-like soundboard.

A stringed instrument that has triangular body and three strings

(slang) An object shaped like a banjo, especially a frying pan or a shovel.

A cul-de-sac with a round end.

(mining) A miner's round-nosed shovel.

To play a banjo.

To beat, to knock down.

To shell or attack (a target).

A stringed musical instrument having a head and neck like the guitar, and a circular body like a tambourine. It has five strings, and is played with the fingers and hands.

A stringed instrument of the guitar family that has long neck and circular body