Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
轶 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轶yìto surpass, to overtake, to exceln, 9 strokes, radical 车
轶yìto be scatteredunknown, 9 strokes, radical 车
yì(yi4)yi T4
  1. 1to surpass, to overtake, to excel
  2. 2to be scattered
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

轶(軼)yì(yi4)

The character 轶 (yì) primarily means to surpass or excel. It is often used in contexts where someone or something stands out or exceeds expectations. Additionally, it can imply a sense of being leisurely or scattered, making it versatile in both competitive and relaxed settings.

Strokes9Radical车
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of surpassing others is often celebrated, especially in academic and professional settings. The character 轶 reflects this value, as it embodies the pursuit of excellence and the importance of standing out in a competitive society.

Memory tip

Imagine a race where one runner, represented by the character 轶, is so fast that they leave everyone behind (surpass). The radical 车 (vehicle) hints at motion and speed, while the rest of the character suggests that this runner is effortlessly moving ahead, embodying the essence of 'excel'.

Meanings of 轶

yì(yi4)
1to surpass, to overtake, to excel
2to be scattered
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 轶 means.

About 轶

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

Podcast: 轶

JasonAmy

Podcast: 轶

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 轶

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 轶 with similar sounding characters or those with overlapping meanings like 逸 (yì), which can also imply leisure. This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts like literature or academic discussions.

HSK Study Tips

Although 轶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other characters related to movement and excellence, such as 超 (chāo, to surpass) and 优 (yōu, excellent). Students should focus on recognizing its less frequent usage and understanding its nuanced meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 轶 with 逸, leading them to mistakenly use it in contexts related to leisure when it should emphasize surpassing or excelling. For example, saying '这个人很轶' (This person is very leisurely) should be corrected to '这个人很优秀' (This person is very excellent).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轶

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

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

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 轶 to you

Let me explain 轶 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 轶 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How well do you know 轶?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 轶 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 轶

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

Phonosemantic compound. 车 represents the meaning and 失 represents the sound. Simplified form of 軼.

Memory hint

cart

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

Origin

轶 = 车 + 失. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 轶

IDS Structure⿰车失
轶Full character
=
车Che1
left
失shi1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 轶?

How to say to surpass, to overtake, to excel in Chinese

“to surpass, to overtake, to excel” in Chinese is轶yì

The character 轶 (yì) primarily means to surpass or excel. It is often used in contexts where someone or something stands out or exceeds expectations. Additionally, it can imply a sense of being leisurely or scattered, making it versatile in both competitive and relaxed settings.

When to use 轶

Be careful not to confuse 轶 with similar sounding characters or those with overlapping meanings like 逸 (yì), which can also imply leisure. This character is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more suitable for formal contexts like literature or academic discussions.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 轶 with 逸, leading them to mistakenly use it in contexts related to leisure when it should emphasize surpassing or excelling. For example, saying '这个人很轶' (This person is very leisurely) should be corrected to '这个人很优秀' (This person is very excellent).

Write 轶

轶

Practice writing 轶 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 轶

轶 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 2 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 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

历史和____闻的分界向来是模糊而混乱的。

The boundaries between history and storytelling are always being blurred and muddled.

Example sentences for 轶 (3)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
历史和轶闻的分界向来是模糊而混乱的。

lìshǐ hé yì wén de fēn jiè xiànglái shì móhu ér hùnluàn de。

The boundaries between history and storytelling are always being blurred and muddled.
2
杰西卡翻阅了自己收集的大量演艺界的趣闻轶事资料。

jié xī kǎ fān yuè le zìjǐ shōují de dàliàng yǎn yì jiè de qù wén yì shì zīliào。

Jessica dipped into her store of theatrical anecdotes.
3
他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事.

tā jiǎngshù zìjǐ chū rèn yìyuán nà jǐ nián de jǐ zé yì shì.

He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 轶?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 轶

Words containing this character3
轶事anecdote軼事
轶yìto excel軼
轶闻anecdote軼聞
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 轶

What does 轶事 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 轶

No, 轶 is more often found in literary or formal contexts rather than everyday speech.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 轶?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab