轍 (zhé) - Wheel track, rut & course, path

轍Tone 2

zhé ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

轍 · zhé

Wheel track, rut;

course, path;

pattern, method;

in Chinese opera, a set melody pattern.

Wheel track, rutcourse, pathpattern, method

Usage highlights

Wheel trackRutFollow the same trackDifferent pathSet melody in operaStuck in a rut

Synonyms

  • 迹— trace, mark
  • 轨— track, course
  • 痕— mark, trace

Antonyms

  • 新— new, fresh
  • 创— create, innovate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The cart followed the deep ruts (车辙).
  • He never deviates from his usual course (一贯的路线).
  • This situation is exactly the same as before (如出一辙).
  • The actor performed according to the traditional melody pattern (唱腔的辙口).

Collocations

  • Wheel track(车辙)
  • Rut(辙印)
  • Follow the same track(同辙)
  • Different path(异辙)
  • Set melody in opera(辙口)
  • Stuck in a rut(陷入旧辙)

Idioms

  • Exactly the same as before(如出一辙)
  • Follow the track of a previous chariot(重蹈覆辙)
  • No trace to follow(无辙可寻)
  • Change course midway(中途改辙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese opera, '辙' refers to the rhyming system and melodic patterns that performers must follow.
  • The character metaphorically represents established patterns, traditions, or conventional methods that are difficult to change.
  • The concept of 'ruts' or 'tracks' symbolizes both guidance and constraint in Chinese philosophical thought.

FAQ