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March 24, 2026
轲(軻)kē(Ke1)
The character 轲 (kē) primarily refers to an axle, a crucial component in vehicles that allows wheels to rotate. It can also appear in historical contexts, notably as part of the name of the philosopher Mencius. In modern usage, 轲 is not commonly used and is often seen in literary or historical references.
Strokes9Radical车Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The character 轲 is related to Mencius, a significant figure in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and education in Chinese culture. His teachings often reflect the values of righteousness and virtue, which are central to Chinese societal norms.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 轲 as a wheel (represented by the radical 車) turning on an axle (the horizontal line in the middle). Picture a cart rolling smoothly along a path, which helps you remember that 轲 means axle and sounds like 'kē'.
Meanings of 轲
kē(Ke1)
primary
1axle
2given name of Mencius
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About 轲
轲Simplified
軻Traditional
9Strokes
车Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 轲
Podcast: 轲
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AI Study Notes for 轲
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the character 轲 as a wheel (represented by the radical 車) turning on an axle (the horizontal line in the middle). Picture a cart rolling smoothly along a path, which helps you remember that 轲 means axle and sounds like 'kē'.
Usage Notes
While 轲 is not frequently used in everyday conversation, it may appear in classical texts or discussions about Mencius. Be mindful of its formal tone and avoid using it in casual contexts. The character is often mistakenly used interchangeably with similar characters; remember it specifically refers to the axle.
HSK Study Tips
Although 轲 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of literary texts. Focus on recognizing its components and connections to other characters related to vehicles or historical figures, as this will deepen your comprehension of classical Chinese.
Cultural Note
The character 轲 is related to Mencius, a significant figure in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and education in Chinese culture. His teachings often reflect the values of righteousness and virtue, which are central to Chinese societal norms.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 轲 with other similar characters due to its uncommon usage. For example, mistakenly using 轲 (kē) instead of 车 (chē) for vehicle can lead to misunderstandings; remember that 轲 specifically refers to an axle.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 轲
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Cultural Notes for 轲
🏮Cultural insight
The character 轲 is related to Mencius, a significant figure in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of moral integrity and education in Chinese culture. His teachings often reflect the values of righteousness and virtue, which are central to Chinese societal norms.
Word Family of 轲
Words Containing This Character3
荆轲Jing Ke (-227 BC), celebrated in verse and fiction as would-be assassin of King Ying Zheng of Qin 秦嬴政 (later the First Emperor 秦始皇)荊軻
