Definitions

chí (verb) to run fast; to gallop
chí (verb) to spread; to disseminate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "驰", with its traditional form "馳", is structured as a phono-semantic compound combining the semantic component "马" (horse) in its simplified form or "馬" in traditional, which denotes association with equine movement, and the phonetic component "也" that guides its pronunciation. Etymologically, it originally conveyed the action of driving a horse at speed, meaning "to gallop" or "to rush". Over time, its semantic range expanded beyond literal rapid motion to include metaphorical extensions such as spreading or circulating, as seen in compounds like "驰名" where it denotes the dissemination of fame. This evolution from a specific equine-related verb to a broader term for rapid propagation reflects adjustments in usage while retaining the core concept of speed through its structural components.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

汽车在公路上奔

Qìchē zài gōnglù shàng bēnchí.

The car speeds on the road.

火车飞过田野。

Huǒchē fēichí guò tiányě.

The train speeds through the fields.

骋在篮球场上。

Tā chíchěng zài lánqiúchǎng shàng.

He gallops on the basketball court.

名品牌值得信赖。

Chímíng pǐnpái zhídé xìnlài.

Famous brands are trustworthy.

救援车辆援灾区。

Jiùyuán chēliàng chíyuán zāiqū.

Rescue vehicles rush to the disaster area.

骏马在旷野上自由骋。

Jùnmǎ zài kuàngyě shàng zìyóu chíchěng.

The steed gallops freely on the wilderness.

这款汽车以速度名。

Zhè kuǎn qìchē yǐ sùdù chímíng.

This car is famous for its speed.

思想在知识的海洋中骋。

Sīxiǎng zài zhīshì de hǎiyáng zhōng chíchěng.

Thoughts gallop in the ocean of knowledge.