驰 chí speed
speed; haste; to gallop
How to remember 驰: 马 horse + 也 also = speed. The jockey's horse wins, and his little sister's pony also gallops past the crowd with great speed.
Component breakdown
驰 = 马 horse + 也 also
- 马 horse
- 也 also
The jockey's horse wins, and his little sister's pony also gallops past the crowd with great speed.
How it is used
- To gallop / speed along - 汽车飞驰而过 (qìchē fēichí érguò) the car sped past; literary for fast horse-like motion.
- Also 'to spread far' in a figurative sense: 驰名 (chímíng) renowned, far-famed - 驰名中外 (chímíng zhōngwài) famous at home and abroad. Note 奔驰 (bēnchí) both means 'to speed along' and is the Chinese name for Mercedes-Benz.
- Written/literary register; think of reputation or vehicles 'racing' outward.