羈 (jī) - bridle, halter & to restrain, control

羈Tone 1

jī ｜ 24 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

羈 · jī

bridle, halter;

to restrain, control;

to detain, lodge;

to wander, sojourn.

bridle, halterto restrain, controlto detain, lodge

Usage highlights

bridle and reinsfetters, bondstraveler, wanderersojourn, lodgingdetentionunrestrained

Synonyms

  • 勒— to rein in, bridle
  • 束— to bind, restrain
  • 绊— to trip, fetter

Antonyms

  • 放— to release, let go
  • 纵— to indulge, give free rein
  • 自由— freedom, liberty

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The horse's bridle (马羁) was made of leather.
  • He felt constrained by social conventions (羁绊).
  • The traveler lodged at an inn (羁旅).
  • Free from worldly cares (无羁).

Collocations

  • bridle and reins(羁縻)
  • fetters, bonds(羁绊)
  • traveler, wanderer(羁客)
  • sojourn, lodging(羁旅)
  • detention(羁押)
  • unrestrained(不羁)

Idioms

  • Unconventional and uninhibited(放荡不羁)
  • To travel far and lodge abroad(负笈担簦，羁旅异乡)
  • Detained in a foreign land(羁留他乡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a leather halter for horses, symbolizing control and restraint.
  • In literature, it often represents the constraints of society or worldly affairs.
  • The concept of 'wandering' or 'sojourning' (羁旅) is a common theme in classical poetry, expressing homesickness and the transient nature of life.

FAQ