輗 (ní) - A crossbar at the end of a carriage

輗Tone 2

ní ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

輗 · ní

A crossbar at the end of a carriage pole, used to yoke two horses in ancient Chinese chariots.

A crossbar at the end of a carriage

Usage highlights

carriage crossbarlarge carriage without a crossbarchariot yokewooden crossbaryoke and crossbar

Synonyms

  • 軏— yoke for a small carriage

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The chariot's yoke (大车无輗) was essential for harnessing horses.
  • Without the crossbar, the carriage cannot move (大车无輗，小车无軏).
  • Ancient texts describe the 輗 as a key chariot component (车輗).
  • The 輗 connected the carriage pole to the horses' harnesses.

Collocations

  • carriage crossbar(车輗)
  • large carriage without a crossbar(大车无輗)
  • chariot yoke(輗轭)
  • wooden crossbar(木輗)
  • yoke and crossbar(轭輗)

Idioms

  • A large carriage without a crossbar, a small carriage without a yoke(大车无輗，小车无軏)
  • Without the crossbar, it cannot move(无輗不行)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The 輗 was a crucial component in ancient Chinese chariots and carriages, symbolizing connection and functionality.
  • Mentioned in classical texts like the Analects of Confucius as a metaphor for reliability and proper function.
  • Represents the importance of small but critical components in a larger system.

FAQ