轅 (yuán) - Yuan — refers to the shafts of a & the main pole connecting the vehicle to the

轅Tone 2

yuán ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

轅 · yuán

Yuan — refers to the shafts of a carriage or chariot;

the main pole connecting the vehicle to the draft animals;

also used in military contexts for headquarters or command center.

Yuan — refers to the shafts of athe main pole connecting the vehicle to thealso used in military contexts for headquarters or

Usage highlights

Chariot shaftsHeadquarters gateTo turn around a carriageTo harness to the shaftsSouthYuanmen

Synonyms

  • 轴— axle (mechanical component of wheeled vehicles)
  • 辙— wheel track (marks left by carriage wheels)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The chariot's shafts were made of strong wood (车辕).
  • They approached the general's headquarters (辕门).
  • The carriage turned around (回车辕).
  • The horse was harnessed to the shafts (驾辕).

Collocations

  • Chariot shafts(车辕)
  • Headquarters gate(辕门)
  • To turn around a carriage(回车辕)
  • To harness to the shafts(驾辕)
  • South-pointing chariot(指南辕)
  • Yuanmen (place name)(辕门)

Idioms

  • Exchange shafts at the midpoint(中途易辙)
  • North-south poles, different directions(南辕北辙)
  • Carriage shafts pointing north(北辕适楚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, the carriage shafts (辕) were crucial components connecting the vehicle to animals, symbolizing direction and control.
  • 辕门 originally referred to the gate of a military camp formed by turning carriage shafts outward, later becoming a term for headquarters.
  • The character appears in idioms about mistaken directions or stubborn persistence in error, such as 南辕北辙.

FAQ