Rubab, robab or rabab (, , , , rubāb, Tajik and Uzbek рубоб) is a lute-like musical instrument originating from central Afghanistan. It derives its name from the Arab rebab which means "played with a bow" but in Central Asia the instrument is plucked and is distinctly different in construction. The rubab is mainly used by Pashtun, Tajik, Turkish, Kashmiri, Baluch, Azerbaijani, and Iranian Kurdish classical musicians. Rabab is a national music instrument of Afghanistan.