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轨迹 (guǐ jì) — (physical) orbit, trajectory, track; (abstract) path, course, trajectory

Definition

轨迹 is the scientific or abstract 'trajectory' of an object or life/career path. Use 轨道 for a physical rail or satellite orbit, 足迹 for a literal footprint or trace someone left behind.

noun
(physical) orbittrajectorytrack(abstract) pathcoursetrajectory
Measure word · 条
Easily confused

Examples

  • 轨迹。
    Zhè kē wèi xīng de yùn xíng guǐ jì shì tuǒ yuán xíng de.
    The orbit of this satellite is elliptical.
  • 轨迹。
    Měi gè rén de rén shēng guǐ jì dōu bù yí yàng.
    Everyone's life path is different.
  • 轨迹。
    Wǒ men yào bǎ wò shí dài fā zhǎn de guǐ jì.
    We must grasp the trajectory of the times.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

轨guǐtrack
迹jìtrace

“轨” suggests a track or rail, while “迹” suggests a trace or mark; together they name a path or trajectory.

Characters in this word

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 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòmove
Sound part声符shēngfú
朿
朿cì迹jì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

迹 pairs 辶, a movement part, with 亦, a sound part; an older form used 朿.

Open 迹 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.