驷 (sì) - A team of four horses & a carriage drawn by four horses
驷 · sì
A team of four horses;
a carriage drawn by four horses;
by extension, the number four.
A team of four horsesa carriage drawn by four horsesby extension, the number four.
Usage highlights
Team of four horsesFourCannot be overtaken by a team of four horsesHigh carriage with four horsesWords and a team of four
Synonyms
- 四马— four horses (descriptive phrase)
Usage & contexts
Examples
- A team of four horses (驷马) was a symbol of high status in ancient China.
- One word spoken, a team of four horses cannot overtake it (一言既出，驷马难追).
- He rode in a carriage drawn by four horses (驷马高车).
Collocations
- Team of four horses(驷马)
- Four-horse carriage(驷车)
- Cannot be overtaken by a team of four horses(驷马难追)
- High carriage with four horses(驷马高车)
- Words and a team of four(一言驷马)
Idioms
- One word spoken, a team of four horses cannot overtake it(一言既出，驷马难追)
- High carriage drawn by four horses(驷马高车)
- Words once spoken, even a team of four cannot recall them(驷不及舌)
Cultural background
FAQ- In ancient China, a team of four horses (驷) was the standard for a chariot in warfare and a symbol of nobility and high rank.
- The character appears in classical texts like the Analects, emphasizing the weight and irrevocability of spoken words.