騎 (qí) - To ride (an animal or vehicle) & a rider

騎Tone 2

qí ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

七器

騎 · qí

To ride (an animal or vehicle);

a rider;

cavalry;

mounted troops.

To ride (an animal or vehicle)a ridercavalry

Usage highlights

Ride a horseCavalryKnightRide a bicycleMotorcycle riderRiding posture

Synonyms

  • 乘— to ride, to mount
  • 驾— to drive, to pilot

Antonyms

  • 步— to walk, on foot
  • 立— to stand

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He rides a horse to work (骑马).
  • The knight was a skilled rider (骑士).
  • We rode bicycles in the park (骑自行车).
  • The cavalry charged into battle (骑兵).

Collocations

  • Ride a horse(骑马)
  • Cavalry(骑兵)
  • Knight(骑士)
  • Ride a bicycle(骑自行车)
  • Motorcycle rider(骑手)
  • Riding posture(骑姿)

Idioms

  • Riding a tiger and finding it hard to get off (骑虎难下) — in a difficult situation from which there is no easy escape
  • Good rider on a worn-out horse (骑驴觅驴) — looking for something you already have
  • Riding the wind and waves (骑风破浪) — forging ahead fearlessly

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with cavalry and mounted warriors, indicating mobility and military prowess.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, riding horses was a symbol of status and martial ability.
  • The character appears in many military and knightly contexts throughout Chinese history.

FAQ