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轨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轨guǐcourseHSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 车, rank #12251, Hard
轨guǐpathHSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 车, rank #12251, Hard
轨guǐtrackHSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 车, rank #12251, Hard
轨guǐrailHSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 车, rank #12251, Hard
轨guǐtrack, rut, pathHSK 7, n, 6 strokes, radical 车, rank #12251, Hard
guǐ(gui3) T3
  1. 1course
  2. 2path
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
轨(軌)guǐ(gui3)

The character 轨 (guǐ) refers to a path or track, often used in contexts related to railways or routes. It conveys the idea of a defined way or course that something follows, whether literally, like train tracks, or metaphorically, as in a course of action.

Strokes6Radical车Frequency#12251DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, railways symbolize modernization and economic development, particularly during the 20th century. The term 轨 is often associated with the rapid growth of train networks across the country.

Memory Tip

Imagine a train traveling along a shiny, well-defined track (轨) that keeps it on course. The character looks like a train (the horizontal line) on its track, ensuring it doesn't wander off.

Meanings of 轨

guǐ(gui3)
1course
2path
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 轨

轨Simplified
軌Traditional
6Strokes
车Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12251Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 轨

JasonAmy

Podcast: 轨

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 轨

Quick Contrast

轨 (guǐ) vs 路 (lù) — use 轨 for tracks or paths that are specifically defined, while 路 refers to more general roads or ways.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a train traveling along a shiny, well-defined track (轨) that keeps it on course. The character looks like a train (the horizontal line) on its track, ensuring it doesn't wander off.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 轨 (guǐ) with 归 (guī), which means to return. This word is more formal, often used in contexts like transportation or planning, and can be combined with words like '轨道' (guǐdào) meaning 'track' or '轨迹' (guǐjì) meaning 'trajectory'.

HSK Study Tips

While 轨 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, it is related to the HSK level 4-5 themes of transportation and movement. Focus on its use in compound words to enhance understanding and retention.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, railways symbolize modernization and economic development, particularly during the 20th century. The term 轨 is often associated with the rapid growth of train networks across the country.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轨 (guǐ) with 轨迹 (guǐjì), mistakenly thinking they mean the same thing. Remember, 轨 refers to the track itself, while 轨迹 means trajectory or path taken.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轨

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Etymology of 轨

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

Phonosemantic compound. 车 represents the meaning and 九 represents the sound. Simplified form of 軌.

Memory Hint

cart

Semantic (meaning)车
+
Phonetic (sound)九
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 轨?

Decomposition of 轨

IDS Structure⿰车九
轨Full Character
=
车Che1
left
九jiu3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 轨?

Write 轨

轨

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 轨

轨 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

好几十英里的铁____被毁坏了。

Dozens of miles of railway track have been torn up.

Common Confusions with 轨

轨vs鬼
guǐ

Same pronunciation but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "course"?

or

Example Sentences for 轨 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
好几十英里的铁轨被毁坏了。

hǎo jī shí yīng lǐ de tiě guǐ bèi huǐ huài le。

Dozens of miles of railway track have been torn up.
2
通用柴油动力火车头将车厢转轨到了4号月台。

tōng yòng chái yóu dòng lì huǒ chē tóu jiāng chē xiāng zhuǎn guǐ dào le4 4 hào yuè。

The GM diesel engine shunted the coaches to Platform
3
铁轨跨过这条河直达矿井口。

tiě guǐ kuà guò zhè tiáo hé zhí dá kuàng jǐng kǒu。

Across the river the railway track ran up to the pithead.
4
其轨道速度一定是在每秒几百米。

qí guǐ dào sù dù yī dìng shì zài měi miǎo jī bǎi mǐ。

Her orbital speed must be a few hundred meters per second.
5
车外的分轨闸和信号灯清晰可见.

chē wài de fēn guǐ zhá hé xìn hào dēng qīng xī kě jiàn.

Brakes and signals were visible without.
6
流动表面上的亮条纹是高度反光的薄片的轨迹线.

liú dòng biǎo miàn shàng de liàng tiáo wén shì gāo dù fǎn guāng de báo piàn de guǐ jì xiàn.

Light streaks on surface of flow are traces of highly reflective flakes.
7
他在州街登上了一辆北行的有轨电车。

tā zài zhōu jiē dēng shàng le yī liàng běi háng de yǒu guǐ diàn chē。

He took a northbound trolley on State Street.
8
他开始对在这节短轨道上开来开去有些厌倦了.

tā kāi shǐ duì zài zhè jié duǎn guǐ dào shàng kāi lái kāi qù yǒu xiē yàn juàn le.

He grew weary of running to and fro on the short track.
9
它正驶过旁边轨道上的几节车厢.

tā zhèng shǐ guò páng biān guǐ dào shàng de jī jié chē xiāng.

It was running by some cars on a side track.
10
所有物体的轨道几乎都在同一平面上.

suǒ yǒu wù tǐ de guǐ dào jī hū dū zài tóng yī píng miàn shàng.

All the orbits lie nearly in the same plane.

Cultural Notes for 轨

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, railways symbolize modernization and economic development, particularly during the 20th century. The term 轨 is often associated with the rapid growth of train networks across the country.

Word Family of 轨

Compounds1
匦gui3chest, casket, small box
Words Containing This Character20
轨道guǐdàoorbit軌道
轨guǐcourse軌
出轨to leave the rails出軌
轨迹guǐjìlocus軌跡
正轨the right track正軌
接轨jiēguǐto dock接軌
铁轨rail鐵軌
不轨errant不軌
转轨to change track轉軌
越轨to run off the track越軌
轻轨light rail輕軌
脱轨to derail脫軌
单轨monorail單軌
双轨double-track雙軌
钢轨steel rail鋼軌
铺轨to lay railway track鋪軌
有轨tracked (tramcar)有軌
路轨track (railroad, streetcar etc)路軌
卧轨to lie across the railway tracks (to commit suicide or to prevent trains from getting through)臥軌
无轨电车trolleybus無軌電車
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 匦 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 轨

You can say '火车在轨道上行驶' (Huǒchē zài guǐdào shàng xíngshǐ) which means 'The train travels on the tracks.'