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March 24, 2026
驶(駛)shǐ(shi3)
The character 驶 (shǐ) primarily refers to the action of driving or piloting a vehicle, such as a car, ship, or plane. It conveys a sense of speed and movement towards a destination, often used in contexts involving transportation or travel. Additionally, it can imply galloping in a more poetic or descriptive way.
Strokes8Radical马Frequency#8933DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In modern China, transportation plays a vital role in daily life, with high-speed trains and busy highways. The word 驶 reflects this cultural emphasis on efficiency and speed in travel.
Memory Tip
Imagine a horse galloping swiftly (驶 sounds like 'she' and galloping horses make 'shh' sounds) along a smooth road. The character 驶 combines the radical for 'horse' (马) with the component that suggests movement, evoking the image of a fast ride.
Meanings of 驶
shǐ(shi3)
1to gallop
2speedily
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 驶
驶Simplified
駛Traditional
8Strokes
马Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8933Frequency Rank
Podcast: 驶
Podcast: 驶
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AI Study Notes for 驶
Quick Contrast
行 (xíng) — use 驶 (shǐ) specifically for driving or piloting vehicles, while 行 (xíng) is more general for movement or walking.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 驶 with similar-sounding verbs that don't imply speed or direction. This word is typically used in formal contexts related to transportation, so avoid using it in casual conversation about walking. Be aware of the tonal pronunciation to prevent misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 驶 is not part of the HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 or higher who are discussing travel or transportation. Focus on how 驶 can be combined with other words like 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) meaning 'to drive' or 'to operate' for a broader vocabulary in these contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 驶 with 走 (zǒu), which means 'to walk.' A wrong example would be saying '我走车' (Wǒ zǒu chē), which should be corrected to '我驾驶车' (Wǒ jiàshǐ chē) for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 驶
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Phonosemantic compound. 马 represents the meaning and 史 represents the sound. Simplified form of 駛.
1The meaning half马 carries the sense.
2The sound half史 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayhorse
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 驶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 驶?
Decomposition of 驶
IDS Structure⿰马史
驶Full Character
=
马Ma3
left
史Shi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 驶?
How to say to gallop in Chinese
“to gallop” in Chinese is驶shǐ
The character 驶 (shǐ) primarily refers to the action of driving or piloting a vehicle, such as a car, ship, or plane. It conveys a sense of speed and movement towards a destination, often used in contexts involving transportation or travel. Additionally, it can imply galloping in a more poetic or descriptive way.
When to use 驶
Common mistakes include confusing 驶 with similar-sounding verbs that don't imply speed or direction. This word is typically used in formal contexts related to transportation, so avoid using it in casual conversation about walking. Be aware of the tonal pronunciation to prevent misunderstandings.
驶 or something close to it
行 (xíng) — use 驶 (shǐ) specifically for driving or piloting vehicles, while 行 (xíng) is more general for movement or walking.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 驶 with 走 (zǒu), which means 'to walk.' A wrong example would be saying '我走车' (Wǒ zǒu chē), which should be corrected to '我驾驶车' (Wǒ jiàshǐ chē) for clarity.
Write 驶
驶
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Grammar Patterns of 驶
驶 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
“沙锥鸟”战斗机的驾____舱空间不太宽敞。
There was not much elbow room in the cockpit of a Snipe.
Common Confusions with 驶
驶vs市
shì
Same radical but different meaning
驶vs时
shí
Similar shape but different pronunciation and meaning
