驿

驛

yì

马 + 𠬤

Definitions

yì post horse; relay station

Etymology phono-semantic

horse

Semantic: 马

About

The character 驿 is a phono-semantic compound: the left side 马 (simplified from 馬) means 'horse', connecting it to transport and travel, while the right side 𠬤 (simplified from 睪) gives the sound. The traditional form 驛 combined 馬 and 睪; the simplification to 马 and 𠬤 cut strokes but kept the pronunciation intact. It denotes a relay station or post house along major routes where government couriers could rest, swap exhausted horses for fresh ones, and relay official documents. Accordingly, the character evokes historical courier systems and appears in compounds for stagecoaches, mounted messengers, and the grueling nature of long-distance horseback travel.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一个古老的驿站。

Zhè shì yī gè gǔlǎo de yìzhàn.

This is an ancient post station.

马车在驿站休息。

Mǎchē zài yìzhàn xiūxi.

The carriage rests at the post station.

驿路连接着两个城市。

Yìlù liánjiē zhe liǎng gè chéngshì.

The post road connects two cities.

古代驿使传递重要消息。

Gǔdài yìshǐ chuándì zhòngyào xiāoxi.

Ancient couriers delivered important messages.

驿站不仅提供住宿，还供应食物。

Yìzhàn bùjǐn tígōng zhùsù, hái gōngyìng shíwù.

The post station not only provides accommodation but also supplies food.

他的生活像驿马一样奔波。

Tā de shēnghuó xiàng yìmǎ yīyàng bēnbō.

His life is as busy as a post horse.

由于驿站在战争中受损，信使不得不绕道而行。

Yóuyú yìzhàn zài zhànzhēng zhōng shòu sǔn, xìnshǐ bùdebù ràodào ér xíng.

Because the post station was damaged in the war, the messenger had to detour.

沿着古老的驿路行走，仿佛能听到昔日马蹄的回响。

Yánzhe gǔlǎo de yìlù xíngzǒu, fǎngfú néng tīng dào xīrì mǎtí de huíxiǎng.

Walking along the ancient post road, it seems as if one can hear the echo of horses' hooves from the past.

Related Characters

Component: 马

Component: 𠬤

驿