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轘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
轘huànpunishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariotszg, 20 strokes, radical 車
轘huànto tear between chariots (as punishment)unknown, 20 strokes, radical 車
轘huánpunishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariotszg, 20 strokes, radical 車
轘huánto tear between chariots (as punishment)unknown, 20 strokes, radical 車
huán(huan2)
primary
T2
  1. 1punishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariots
  2. 2to tear between chariots (as punishment)
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March 24, 2026

轘huán(huan2)

The character 轘 (huán) refers to a form of punishment historically associated with tearing apart or torturing, particularly in the context of chariots. It conveys a graphic image of a severe form of execution wherein the victim is tied between two chariots and pulled apart. This term is rarely used in modern language but may appear in historical texts or discussions about ancient punishments.

Strokes20Radical車
Cultural Note

The concept of punishment depicted by 轘 reflects the historical severity of law enforcement in ancient China, where such brutal methods were sometimes employed as a deterrent. This character serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of justice in past societies.

Memory Tip

Imagine a scene where a charioteer is pulling two chariots apart with a person caught in the middle. The visual of the chariots symbolizes the character 轘 (huán), with the radical 车 (chē) representing 'vehicle' or 'chariot.' The pronunciation 'huán' can be remembered by thinking of the sound of wheels (huan) turning in opposite directions.

Meanings of 轘

huán(huan2)
primary
1punishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariots
2to tear between chariots (as punishment)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 轘

轘Simplified
20Strokes
車Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 轘

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Podcast: 轘

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AI Study Notes for 轘

Usage Notes

轘 is primarily used in historical or literary contexts and is not suitable for everyday conversation. Learners should be aware that using this term in casual discussions about punishment might be seen as inappropriate or overly dramatic. It's also important to note that this word is rarely used in modern contexts, so be cautious about its relevance.

HSK Study Tips

Although 轘 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it provides a deeper understanding of historical punishments in Chinese culture. Students should focus on the radicals and components of characters related to punishment (e.g., 刑, xíng) to expand their vocabulary in this thematic area.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 轘 with similar characters related to punishment but with different meanings, such as 刑 (xíng). For example, saying 轘 when they mean 刑 would be incorrect, as 刑 refers to punishment in a more general sense.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 轘

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Etymology of 轘

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

cart

Semantic (meaning)車
+
Phonetic (sound)睘
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 轘

  1. 1The meaning half車 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half睘 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaycart
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 轘? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 轘?

Decomposition of 轘

IDS Structure⿰車睘
轘Full Character
=
車che1
left
睘qiong2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 轘?

How to say punishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariots in Chinese

“punishment, torture; to tear asunder between two chariots” in Chinese is轘huàn

The character 轘 (huán) refers to a form of punishment historically associated with tearing apart or torturing, particularly in the context of chariots. It conveys a graphic image of a severe form of execution wherein the victim is tied between two chariots and pulled apart. This term is rarely used in modern language but may appear in historical texts or discussions about ancient punishments.

When to use 轘

轘 is primarily used in historical or literary contexts and is not suitable for everyday conversation. Learners should be aware that using this term in casual discussions about punishment might be seen as inappropriate or overly dramatic. It's also important to note that this word is rarely used in modern contexts, so be cautious about its relevance.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 轘 with similar characters related to punishment but with different meanings, such as 刑 (xíng). For example, saying 轘 when they mean 刑 would be incorrect, as 刑 refers to punishment in a more general sense.

Write 轘

轘

Practice writing 轘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 轘

Words Containing This Character1
轘huánto tear between chariots (as punishment)
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 轘 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 轘

No, 轘 is rarely used in contemporary language and is mostly found in historical texts.

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