双轨 (shuāng guǐ) — (railway) double track; dual-track system; two parallel systems operating simultaneously

Definition

Literally 'double track' (railways): two parallel lines that let trains run both ways. By extension, any system running two parallel tracks at once (e.g. 双轨制).

noun
(railway) double trackdual-track systemtwo parallel systems operating simultaneously
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 双轨，。
    Zhè duàn tiě lù shì shuāng guǐ, liè chē kě yǐ shuāng xiàng xíng shǐ.
    This section of railway is double-track, so trains can run in both directions.
  • 双轨，，。
    Gǎi gé kāi fàng chū qī shí xíng le jià gé shuāng guǐ zhì, yí bù fen shāng pǐn yóu guó jiā dìng jià, yí bù fen yóu shì chǎng jué dìng.
    During the early reform period, a dual-track pricing system was implemented: some goods were priced by the state and others by the market.
  • 双轨，，。
    Zhè suǒ dà xué shí xíng shuāng guǐ péi yǎng mó shì, jì kàn zhòng xué shù chéng jì, yě zhòng shì shí jiàn néng lì.
    This university adopts a dual-track education model, valuing both academic performance and practical skills.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

双shuāngdouble
轨guǐtrack

双 indicates two, and 轨 is a track or rail.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

双 is made of two 又 parts side by side. Repeating 又 gives the sense of a pair.

Open 双 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 軌; 轨 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jū
Sound part声符shēngfú
九
九jiǔ軌guǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 軌 pairs 車 (cart) with 九 as a sound part; the simplified 轨 is a later shorthand.

Open 轨 →

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