Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
驛 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
驛yìrelay stationx, 23 strokes, radical 馬
yì(yi4) T4
  1. 1relay station
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

驛yì(yi4)

The character 驛 (yì) refers to a relay station or post where travelers can rest or change horses. It is commonly associated with ancient transportation systems in China, particularly during the imperial era when such stations facilitated communication and logistics across long distances.

Strokes23Radical馬
Cultural Note

In ancient China, relay stations were crucial for the imperial courier system, allowing messages to be transmitted quickly across vast distances. This system reflects the importance of communication and governance in Chinese history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a horse (represented by the horse radical 馬) resting at a station (驛) after a long journey. The character looks like a horse standing under a roof, which helps you remember that it’s a place for horses to rest. The pronunciation 'yì' can be associated with the idea of 'easy' travel after a good rest.

Meanings of 驛

yì(yi4)
1relay station
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 驛

驛Simplified
23Strokes
馬Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 驛

JasonAmy

Podcast: 驛

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 驛

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 驛 with similar characters like 站 (zhàn, station) or 站点 (zhàndiǎn, stop). It is more formal and specific to historical contexts, so use it when discussing ancient travel or logistics. Ensure to use the correct tone; the first tone is crucial to distinguish it from other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 驛 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with words related to travel and transportation found in lower levels. Students should focus on the context of travel in Chinese history to better understand its significance.

Common Mistakes

Learners may mistakenly use 驛 to refer to modern transportation stations like train stations. For example, saying 驛 for a train station is incorrect; use 车站 (chēzhàn) instead. Remember, 驛 is specific to historical contexts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 驛

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 驛 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 驛

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

horse

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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 驛

  1. 1The meaning half馬 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half睪 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawayhorse
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

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

Want the full history of 驛? 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 驛?

Decomposition of 驛

IDS Structure⿰馬睪
驛Full Character
=
馬ma3
left
睪yi4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 驛?

How to say relay station in Chinese

“relay station” in Chinese is驛yì

The character 驛 (yì) refers to a relay station or post where travelers can rest or change horses. It is commonly associated with ancient transportation systems in China, particularly during the imperial era when such stations facilitated communication and logistics across long distances.

When to use 驛

Learners often confuse 驛 with similar characters like 站 (zhàn, station) or 站点 (zhàndiǎn, stop). It is more formal and specific to historical contexts, so use it when discussing ancient travel or logistics. Ensure to use the correct tone; the first tone is crucial to distinguish it from other words.

What learners get wrong

Learners may mistakenly use 驛 to refer to modern transportation stations like train stations. For example, saying 驛 for a train station is incorrect; use 车站 (chēzhàn) instead. Remember, 驛 is specific to historical contexts.

Write 驛

驛

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 驛

Words Containing This Character4
驿站relay station for post horses (old)驛站
驿yìpost horse驛
驿城区Yicheng district of Zhumadian city 駐馬店市|驻马店市[Zhù​mǎ​diàn​shì], Henan驛城區
驿城Yicheng district of Zhumadian city 駐馬店市|驻马店市[Zhù​mǎ​diàn​shì], Henan驛城
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 驿站 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 驛

It means a relay station, particularly for transportation in ancient China.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 驛?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.