Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
轴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轴zhóuaxle, pivot, shaft; axisn, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhóuTaiwan pr. [zhou2]unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhóuspool (for thread)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhóuroller (for scrolls)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhóuclassifier for calligraphy rolls etcunknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhòuaxle, pivot, shaft; axisn, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhòuTaiwan pr. [zhou2]unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhòuspool (for thread)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhòuroller (for scrolls)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
轴zhòuclassifier for calligraphy rolls etcunknown, 9 strokes, radical 车, rank #10086, Hard
zhóu(zhou2)
primary
 T2
  1. 1axle, pivot, shaft; axis
  2. 2Taiwan pr. [zhou2]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
轴(軸)zhóu(zhou2)

The character 轴 (zhóu) refers to an axle or pivot, often used in mechanical contexts to describe a central shaft around which other parts rotate. It can also denote an axis in a more abstract sense, such as in geometry or discussions of balance and alignment. This term is common in both technical and everyday language when discussing motion or support structures.

Strokes9Radical车Frequency#10086DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of an 'axis' can symbolize balance and stability, reflecting traditional views on harmony in life and nature. The term is often used in discussions about both physical structures and philosophical ideas.

Memory Tip

Imagine a giant wheel (the axle) that needs a strong central pole (the 轴) to keep it steady. The character 轴 resembles a wheel with a central axis, which helps you remember that it relates to rotation and support. Visualize a strong axle making a vehicle move smoothly.

Meanings of 轴

zhóu(zhou2)
primary
1axle, pivot, shaft; axis
2Taiwan pr. [zhou2]
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 轴

轴Simplified
軸Traditional
9Strokes
车Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 轴

JasonAmy

Podcast: 轴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 轴

Quick Contrast

轴 (zhóu) vs 轴心 (zhóuxīn) — use 轴 for the physical axle or pivot, while 轴心 refers specifically to the central point or axis around which rotation occurs.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a giant wheel (the axle) that needs a strong central pole (the 轴) to keep it steady. The character 轴 resembles a wheel with a central axis, which helps you remember that it relates to rotation and support. Visualize a strong axle making a vehicle move smoothly.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone: 'zhóu' is pronounced with a rising tone, which can be confused with 'zhou2' in Taiwan, meaning something different. In formal contexts, 轴 is often used in engineering or physics, while in everyday conversation, it may describe more general concepts of support and alignment.

HSK Study Tips

Although 轴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, students should relate it to other words concerning mechanics and structure, such as 轮 (lún, wheel) or 支撑 (zhīchēng, support). Focusing on the context in which 轴 is used can enhance understanding of related terms.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of an 'axis' can symbolize balance and stability, reflecting traditional views on harmony in life and nature. The term is often used in discussions about both physical structures and philosophical ideas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the pronunciation with 'zhou2', which has different meanings. For example, saying '我买了一个轴' (Wǒ mǎile yī ge zhōu) incorrectly implies a different item; the correct use would be in contexts like machinery or structure.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轴

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 轴 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 轴

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

Phonosemantic compound. 车 represents the meaning and 由 represents the sound. Simplified form of 軸.

Memory Hint

wheel

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

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 轴?

Decomposition of 轴

IDS Structure⿰车由
轴Full Character
=
车Che1
left
由you2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 轴?

Write 轴

轴

Practice writing 轴 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 轴

轴 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我用封蜡将卷____封好，并系上一根红丝带。

I covered the scroll in sealing wax, and affixed a red ribbon.

Example Sentences for 轴 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我用封蜡将卷轴封好，并系上一根红丝带。

wǒ yòng fēng là jiāng juàn zhóu fēng hǎo， ， bìng xì shàng yī gēn hóng sī。

I covered the scroll in sealing wax, and affixed a red ribbon.
2
每个相角不论是正的还是负的, 都是相对于水平轴来说的.

měi gè xiāng jiǎo bù lùn shì zhèng de huán shì fù de, , dū shì xiāng duì yú shuǐ píng zhóu lái shuō.

Each phase angle, whether positive or negative, is referenced to the horizontal.
3
地轴倾斜成约二百三十一度角.

dì zhóu qīng xié chéng yuē èr bǎi sān shí yī dù jiǎo.

The earth's axis is titled at an angle of about
4
伞齿轮: 连接直角相交两轴的齿轮.

sǎn chǐ lún: : lián jiē zhí jiǎo xiāng jiāo liǎng zhóu de chǐ.

Bevel gears: gears which connect two shafts at right angles.
5
一种棘齿装置把线从线轴转到梭心上。

yī zhǒng jí chǐ zhuāng zhì bǎ xiàn cóng xiàn zhóu zhuǎn dào suō xīn shàng。

A ratchet mechanism transfers the thread from spool to bobbin.
6
圆的轴线是其直径.

yuán de zhóu xiàn shì qí zhí jìng.

The axis of a circle is its diameter.
7
在横坐标轴上等分成15个格.

zài héng zuò biāo zhóu shàng děng fēn chéng15 15 gè.

The horizontal axis was then divided into 15 spaces.
8
狭轴承只需要较短的距离就能产生全宽度润滑膜.

xiá zhóu chéng zhī xū yào jiào duǎn de jù lí jiù néng chǎn shēng quán kuān dù rùn huá mó.

The narrower bearings required less distance to develop full width films.
9
洛阳LYC等国产及龙溪关节轴承.

luò yángLYC LYC děng guó chǎn jí lóng xī guān jié zhóu.

Luoyang LYC, and other domestic and Lung River joint bearing.
10
有人发现,钙能抑制黄瓜胚轴的伸长.

yǒu rén fā xiàn, , gài néng yì zhì huáng guā pēi zhóu de shēn.

It was found that calcium reduced elongation of cucumber hypocotyls.

Cultural Notes for 轴

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of an 'axis' can symbolize balance and stability, reflecting traditional views on harmony in life and nature. The term is often used in discussions about both physical structures and philosophical ideas.

Word Family of 轴

Words Containing This Character20
轴zhóuaxis軸
轴承(mechanical) bearing軸承
卷轴scroll (book or painting)卷軸
轴线central axis (line)軸線
车轴chēzhóuaxle車軸
轴心axle軸心
主轴axis主軸
轮轴axle輪軸
轴距wheelbase軸距
线轴thread spool線軸
曲轴crankshaft曲軸
压轴戏climax壓軸戲
转轴axis of rotation轉軸
连轴转to work non-stop連軸轉
轴心国Axis powers (World War II)軸心國
凸轮轴camshaft凸輪軸
同轴coaxial同軸
同轴电缆coaxial cable同軸電纜
传动轴drive shaft傳動軸
对称轴axis of symmetry對稱軸
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 轴 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 轴

The correct pronunciation is zhóu with a rising tone.