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轼 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
shìcarriage crossbarg, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #45646, Very Hard
shìcrossbar in carriage frontunknown, 10 strokes, radical 车, rank #45646, Very Hard
shì(shi4) T4
  1. 1carriage crossbar
  2. 2crossbar in carriage front
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March 24, 2026

(軾)shì(shi4)

The character 轼 (shì) refers to a specific part of a traditional carriage, namely the crossbar found at the front of the carriage. This term is often used in historical or literary contexts when discussing ancient transportation methods or vehicle construction. It is not commonly used in contemporary language but may appear in classical texts or discussions about history.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#45646DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In ancient China, carriages played a significant role in transportation, especially among nobility. The crossbar 轼 was essential for the stability and function of these carriages, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand carriage with a strong crossbar at the front, holding it together. Think of the word 'shì' as the sound of wheels rolling over cobblestones, connecting the structure of the carriage and evoking the image of strength and stability.

Meanings of 轼

shì(shi4)
1carriage crossbar
2crossbar in carriage front
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 轼

Simplified
Traditional
10Strokes
Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 轼

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AI Study Notes for 轼

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a grand carriage with a strong crossbar at the front, holding it together. Think of the word 'shì' as the sound of wheels rolling over cobblestones, connecting the structure of the carriage and evoking the image of strength and stability.

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious not to confuse 轼 with similar-sounding characters. The usage of this term is quite formal and specific to historical contexts, making it rare in everyday conversation. Be mindful of its proper tone, as mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 轼 is not included in the HSK levels, understanding this character can enrich your vocabulary related to historical contexts. Focus on related characters that describe vehicles or transportation, such as 车 (chē) for 'car' or 'vehicle', to build connections.

Cultural Note

In ancient China, carriages played a significant role in transportation, especially among nobility. The crossbar 轼 was essential for the stability and function of these carriages, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese history.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轼 with similar characters like 识 (shì, meaning 'to know') due to their phonetic similarity. Ensure to remember the context and meaning of 轼 to avoid this mix-up.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轼

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Etymology of 轼

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 车 represents the meaning and 式 represents the sound. Simplified form of 軾.

Memory Hint

cart

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 轼?

Decomposition of 轼

IDS Structure⿰车式
Full Character
=
Che1
left
shi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 轼?

Write 轼

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 轼

🏮Cultural insight

In ancient China, carriages played a significant role in transportation, especially among nobility. The crossbar 轼 was essential for the stability and function of these carriages, reflecting the importance of craftsmanship in Chinese history.

Word Family of 轼

Words Containing This Character2
shìcrossbar in carriage front
苏轼Su Shi (1037-1101), also known as Su Dongpo 蘇東坡|苏东坡[Sū​Dōng​pō] northern Song Dynasty writer and calligrapher蘇軾
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 轼 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 轼

It means the crossbar at the front of a carriage, primarily used in historical contexts.