轶

軼

yì

失 + 车

Definitions

yì (bound form) (of a book, author etc) lost (to the ages) (variant of 佚[yì]); (bound form) to surpass the ordinary; outstanding (variant of 逸[yì])

Etymology

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

Semantic: 车 Phonetic: 失

About

The character 轶, traditional form 軼, is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component 车 (traditional 車) relates it to carts or chariots, while the phonetic component 失 also suggests a sense of “losing” or “slipping away.” This etymology reflects the original meaning: a vehicle rushing past or overtaking another. From this concrete image, the meaning evolved to abstract notions of surpassing, excelling, or being outstanding. The character also commonly refers to scattered or unofficial historical records, anecdotes and stories that have “slipped away” from the formal historical narrative.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我听到一件轶事。

Wǒ tīng dào yī jiàn yìshì.

I heard an anecdote.

这本书里有很多轶闻。

Zhè běn shū lǐ yǒu hěn duō yìwén.

There are many hearsay stories in this book.

他的经历堪称传奇轶事。

Tā de jīnglì kān chēng chuánqí yìshì.

His experiences can be called legendary anecdotes.

这些轶事反映了当时的社会风貌。

Zhèxiē yìshì fǎnyìngle dāngshí de shèhuì fēngmào.

These anecdotes reflect the social customs of that time.

记者收集了大量政治轶闻。

Jìzhě shōujíle dàliàng zhèngzhì yìwén.

The journalist collected a large number of political hearsays.

他的才华超轶前人，令人敬佩。

Tā de cáihuá chāoyì qiánrén, lìng rén jìngpèi.

His talent surpasses his predecessors, which is admirable.

这段历史轶事被记载在古籍中。

Zhè duàn lìshǐ yìshì bèi jìzǎi zài gǔjí zhōng.

This historical anecdote is recorded in ancient books.

通过对这些轶闻的考证，学者揭示了真相。

Tōngguò duì zhèxiē yìwén de kǎozhèng, xuézhě jiēshìle zhēnxiàng.

Through the verification of these hearsays, scholars revealed the truth.

Related Characters

Component: 失

Component: 车

轶