Definitions

xiá (noun) box; case; chest

Etymology phono-semantic

box

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "匣", representing a small box or casket, is structurally composed of the radical "匚" which depicts an enclosed container, combined with "甲", a component that primarily functions as a phonetic indicator while possibly echoing the concept of a protective shell. Its formation as a pictophonetic character has anchored its meaning firmly to the idea of a receptacle, with the semantic focus remaining on modest, often lidded containers used for safeguarding objects like documents, seals, or personal valuables. Over time, this meaning has persisted with little alteration, retaining its specific reference to physical storage without broadening into metaphorical or abstract applications, thus reflecting a stable lexical role throughout its historical usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个子很漂亮。

Zhè gè xiázi hěn piàoliang.

This box is very beautiful.

妈妈把首饰放在子里。

Māmā bǎ shǒushì fàng zài xiázi lǐ.

Mom puts the jewelry in the box.

我从抽屉里拿出一个木

Wǒ cóng chōuti lǐ ná chū yī gè mùxiá.

I take out a wooden box from the drawer.

这个珠宝是奶奶留下的。

Zhè gè zhūbǎo xiá shì nǎinai liú xià de.

This jewelry box was left by grandma.

古老的子里藏着秘密。

Gǔlǎo de xiázi lǐ cáng zhe mìmì.

The ancient box hides secrets inside.

每当打开这个子,我就会想起童年。

Měi dāng dǎkāi zhè gè xiázi, wǒ jiù huì xiǎng qǐ tóngnián.

Whenever I open this box, I remember my childhood.

如果子没有锁,物品可能会丢失。

Rúguǒ xiázi méiyǒu suǒ, wùpǐn kěnéng huì diūshī.

If the box doesn't have a lock, the items might get lost.

经过仔细检查,警方在子底部发现了重要证据。

Jīngguò zǐxì jiǎnchá, jǐngfāng zài xiázi dǐbù fāxiàn le zhòngyào zhèngjù.

After careful inspection, the police found important evidence at the bottom of the box.