駕 (jià) - To drive (a vehicle) & to ride (an animal)

駕Tone 4

jià ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

嘉健

駕 · jià

To drive (a vehicle);

to ride (an animal);

to harness;

to control;

imperial carriage;

honorific term for addressing someone else.

To drive (a vehicle)to ride (an animal)to harness

Usage highlights

To drive a carDriver's licenseImperial carriageTo harness a horseTo controlTo escort

Synonyms

  • 驶— to drive, to sail, to pilot
  • 驭— to drive, to control (horses)
  • 御— to drive (imperial context)

Antonyms

  • 停— to stop, to halt
  • 驻— to station, to be stationed

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He drives a car (驾车).
  • The emperor's carriage (御驾) was magnificent.
  • Please excuse my incompetence (恕我驾钝).
  • The driver's license (驾驶证) is required.

Collocations

  • To drive a car(驾车)
  • Driver's license(驾驶证)
  • Imperial carriage(御驾)
  • To harness a horse(驾马)
  • To control(驾驭)
  • To escort(保驾)

Idioms

  • To ride the clouds and mount the mist(驾雾腾云)
  • To take the reins personally(御驾亲征)
  • Unable to drive either way(驾轻就熟)
  • To escort and protect(保驾护驾)
  • To make a grand entrance(驾临寒舍)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to harnessing horses to a carriage, later extended to driving vehicles.
  • Used as an honorific in imperial contexts, referring to the emperor's movements (御驾).
  • In modern usage, maintains formal and respectful connotations when addressing others.

FAQ