骥 (jì) - A thoroughbred horse & a fine horse

骥Tone 4

jì ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

慧佳

骥 · jì

A thoroughbred horse;

a fine horse;

a steed;

metaphorically a person of outstanding talent or ability.

A thoroughbred horsea fine horsea steed

Usage highlights

Fine steedOutstanding talentRare talentThoroughbred horsePerson of outstanding abilitySwift steed

Synonyms

  • 骏— fine horse; excellent
  • 骐— black horse; fine horse (often paired with 骥)
  • 良马— good horse; fine steed

Antonyms

  • 驽— inferior horse; jade
  • 劣马— poor quality horse

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a man of outstanding talent (人中骐骥).
  • The general rode a fine steed (千里马) into battle.
  • This horse is truly a thoroughbred (骐骥).
  • We need talented people (骐骥之才) for this project.

Collocations

  • Fine steed(骐骥)
  • Outstanding talent(骐骥之才)
  • Rare talent(骐骥一毛)
  • Thoroughbred horse(千里骐骥)
  • Person of outstanding ability(人中骐骥)
  • Swift steed(骐骥驰骋)

Idioms

  • An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles(老骥伏枥，志在千里)
  • Rely on the thoroughbred to find the thoroughbred(按图索骥)
  • A fine horse that can run a thousand li(骐骥千里)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, fine horses were highly valued for transportation, warfare, and as status symbols.
  • The character appears in classical texts like 'Stratagems of the Warring States' and Cao Cao's poetry, symbolizing ambition and talent.
  • Metaphorically extended to represent people of exceptional ability, particularly in Confucian contexts valuing virtue and capability.

FAQ