蹊

qī, xī

奚 + 𧾷

Definitions

qī used in 蹊蹺|蹊跷[qī qiāo]; Taiwan pr. [xī]

xī (literary) footpath

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 足 represents the meaning and 奚 represents the sound.

Semantic: 足 Phonetic: 奚

About

The character 蹊 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component ⾜ (foot) indicates an association with walking or pathways, while the phonetic component 奚 provides the pronunciation. Its primary meaning is a footpath or narrow trail, often used to describe walking along small, irregular routes rather than main roads. Over time, this sense expanded slightly to include metaphorical paths or methods, though the character remains predominantly tied to physical movement and trails, especially in compound words and classical texts.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这条小蹊通向后山。

Zhè tiáo xiǎo xī tōng xiàng hòu shān.

This small path leads to the back mountain.

花园里有一条弯曲的蹊。

Huāyuán li yǒu yī tiáo wānqū de xī.

There is a winding path in the garden.

他找到了解决问题的蹊径。

Tā zhǎodào le jiějué wèntí de xījìng.

He found a way to solve the problem.

这件事有点蹊跷，需要调查。

Zhè jiàn shì yǒudiǎn qīqiāo, xūyào diàochá.

This matter is a bit odd and needs investigation.

沿着这条蹊走，你就能看到湖泊。

Yánzhe zhè tiáo xī zǒu, nǐ jiù néng kàn dào húpō.

Walk along this path, and you will see the lake.

探险队在森林中发现了一条陌生的蹊。

Tànxiǎn duì zài sēnlín zhōng fāxiàn le yī tiáo mòshēng de xī.

The exploration team discovered an unfamiliar path in the forest.

在复杂的市场环境中，企业需要寻找新的蹊径。

Zài fùzá de shìchǎng huánjìng zhōng, qǐyè xūyào xúnzhǎo xīn de xījìng.

In the complex market environment, enterprises need to find new paths.

尽管初始数据显得蹊跷，但经过重复实验，结果得到了验证。

Jǐnguǎn chūshǐ shùjù xiǎnde qīqiāo, dàn jīngguò chóngfù shíyàn, jiéguǒ dédào le yànzhèng.

Although the initial data seemed odd, after repeated experiments, the results were verified.

Related Characters

Component: 奚

Component: 𧾷

蹊