驟

zhòu

gallop; suddenly; rapid succession

Meaning

  • Literal: To gallop or run at full speed.
  • Temporal/Adverbial: Suddenly, abruptly, or all at once; specifically describing the onset of an action.
  • Sequential: A rapid succession of events (e.g., a series of sudden rain showers).

Grammar and usage

  • Verb: To gallop; to rush.
  • Adverb: Suddenly/precipitously. Typically precedes the verb it modifies.
  • Modifier/Adjective: Sudden.
  • Collective Noun (Rare): A group of horses moving together, occurring in specific early military or equestrian contexts.

Distinctions

  • 驟 vs. 馳: While both involve galloping, 馳 typically suggests sustained speed or a long-distance ride, whereas 驟 emphasizes the burst, the sudden start, or abruptness.
  • 驟 vs. 疾: 疾 implies urgency, piercing speed, or violent intensity; 驟 is concerned with timing and the unexpected nature of the onset.

History and forms

  • Simplified variant: 骤 (U+9AA4).
  • Readings: Fanqie 鋤佑; Tang-period jrhiou.

Graphical notes

  • The glyph is centered on the horse component (馬), signifying a burst of speed or sudden acceleration.

Translator notes

  • Use caution with dictionary glosses that translate this glyph as "procedure." In this context, it does not imply a formal protocol or step-by-step process, but rather events occurring in quick, repeating sequence.

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.