bubínk

Bubínk is a diminutive noun used in Czech and, to some extent, Slovak to refer to a small drum. In modern Czech, the standard diminutive is bubínek, while bubínk appears in dialectal or historical spellings. The term denotes a small membranophone, typically used as a toy for children or as a beginner instrument in music education.

A bubínk is usually a compact drum with a wooden or metal shell and a single drumhead made of natural hide or synthetic material. It is commonly played by striking the head with fingers, palms, or lightweight sticks, producing a bright, high-pitched sound suitable for rhythm in early music settings or folk contexts.

In everyday language, bubínk may appear in folk songs, children's literature, and educational materials to describe a drum used for rhythm demonstration. While it can be found in older texts or regional speech, the more widely used form in contemporary standard Czech is bubínek. The word shares its root with buben, the general word for drum, from a Proto-Slavic source.

See also buben; percussion instruments; music education.