The zhetygen, pronounced [ʒetɪˈɡen], is a Kazakh plucked zither.
The most ancient type of zhetygen had seven strings over a box shape hollowed out block of wood. The strings were stretched by hand from the outer side of the instrument.
In later version of the instrument, the upper part of the zhetygen was covered with the wooden sounding board. The zhetygen is distinguished by its soft, melodious sound.