辕 (yuán) - Shaft of a cart or carriage & chariot pole

辕Tone 2

yuán ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

辕 · yuán

Shaft of a cart or carriage;

chariot pole;

gate of a military camp or government office.

Shaft of a cart or carriagechariot polegate of a military camp or government office.

Usage highlights

Carriage shaftCamp gateYamen gateShaft horseNorth and South PoleCart shaft

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The chariot's shaft (辕) was made of strong wood.
  • They entered the camp gate (辕门).
  • The carriage shaft (车辕) was broken.
  • He served at the yamen gate (官辕).

Collocations

  • Carriage shaft(车辕)
  • Camp gate(辕门)
  • Yamen gate(官辕)
  • Shaft horse(辕马)
  • North and South Pole(南辕北辙)
  • Cart shaft(辕杆)

Idioms

  • Going south by driving the chariot north — act in a way that defeats one's purpose(南辕北辙)
  • To change the course — alter the plan(改辕易辙)
  • To knock at the camp gate for help(拜辕门)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, the 'yuán' was a key part of chariots, important in transportation and warfare.
  • The term 'yuánmén' (辕门) originally meant the gate of a military camp, formed by the shafts of two chariots.
  • Later, 'yuánmén' extended to mean the gate of a government office or yamen.
  • The character reflects the importance of wheeled vehicles in classical Chinese civilization.

FAQ