匣

xiá

匚 + 甲

Definitions

xiá (noun) box; case; chest

Etymology phono-semantic

box

Semantic: 匚 Phonetic: 甲

About

匣 is built around the semantic radical 匚, which depicts an open box and classifies the character among containers, and the phonetic component 甲 nestled within it. The inner 甲 gives the pronunciation, while the outer 匚 visually reinforces the idea of an enclosed space. It primarily denotes a small box, case, or casket with a lid, used to store valuables, cosmetics, or weapons. Although it is overwhelmingly a noun, occasional literary usage extends it to a verb meaning to enclose or box something up securely.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个匣子很漂亮。

Zhè gè xiázi hěn piàoliang.

This box is very beautiful.

妈妈把首饰放在匣子里。

Māmā bǎ shǒushì fàng zài xiázi lǐ.

Mom puts the jewelry in the box.

我从抽屉里拿出一个木匣。

Wǒ cóng chōuti lǐ ná chū yī gè mùxiá.

I take out a wooden box from the drawer.

这个珠宝匣是奶奶留下的。

Zhè gè zhūbǎo xiá shì nǎinai liú xià de.

This jewelry box was left by grandma.

古老的匣子里藏着秘密。

Gǔlǎo de xiázi lǐ cáng zhe mìmì.

The ancient box hides secrets inside.

每当打开这个匣子，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.

如果匣子没有锁，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，警方在匣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.

Related Characters

Component: 匚

Component: 甲

匣