驾驭

• Pinyin: jià yù
• Hanzi breakdown: 驾 = 马 + 加 (horse + apply — to drive); 驭 = 马 + 又 (horse + hand — to control a horse by hand)

Meaning

To control; to master; to manage; to harness; to have command over. Used for controlling animals, situations, people, or complex skills.

Originally referred to harnessing and driving horses. Extended figuratively to mean mastery or command over anything complex and challenging — from managing teams and organisations to mastering artistic or intellectual domains. Implies active skill, not just restraint.

Examples

1. 要驾驭这种复杂的局面，需要极强的心理素质和丰富的实战经验。 To handle such a complex situation takes strong mental resilience and extensive real-world experience.
2. 优秀的指挥家能够自如地驾驭整个乐团，使每一位演奏者都发挥出最佳状态。 An outstanding conductor can command the entire orchestra with ease, bringing out the best in every musician.
3. 这门古老的技艺需要多年的刻苦钻研，才能真正做到得心应手、驾驭自如。 This ancient craft requires years of dedicated study before you can truly master it and handle it with ease.

Usage Guide

Context: management, leadership, arts, military, philosophy

Tone: elevated

Do Say

• 一位卓越的管理者不仅要能够驾驭日常事务的有序推进，还要具备在危机时刻果断调配资源、稳定团队情绪、把控整体方向的综合能力。(An outstanding manager must not only be able to control the orderly advancement of day-to-day affairs but also possess the comprehensive ability to decisively allocate resources, stabilise team morale, and maintain overall direction in times of crisis.)
• 企业要驾驭数字化转型浪潮，就必须持续投入研发和人才培养。(If companies want to ride the wave of digital transformation, they must keep investing in research and development and in talent training.)

Don't Say

• 驾驭 implies active, skilful control and mastery, often over something challenging. Do not use it for simple mechanical operations. Also distinguish from 控制 (to control/restrain) — 驾驭 carries a connotation of expertise and command that 控制 lacks.

Origin & History

驾 (to harness; to drive) + 驭 (to control horses; to manage — from 马 horse + 又 hand)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal