About

The word 棺材 is formed by combining two characters that each contribute to the overall meaning: 棺 specifically means "coffin", and 材 means "material" or "timber". Together, they create a compound where the second character, 材, acts to specify and emphasize the nature of the first; it essentially denotes "coffin" as being an object made of (wooden) material, thereby forming the complete and concrete concept for a burial coffin.

Example Sentences Hide

这是一个棺材

Zhè shì yī gè guāncai.

This is a coffin.

棺材是用木头做的。

Guāncai shì yòng mùtou zuò de.

The coffin is made of wood.

他们把棺材抬到了墓地。

Tāmen bǎ guāncai táidào le mùdì.

They carried the coffin to the cemetery.

黑色的棺材被放在大厅中央。

Hēisè de guāncai bèi fàng zài dàtīng zhōngyāng.

The black coffin was placed in the center of the hall.

如果棺材太重,我们需要更多人抬它。

Rúguǒ guāncai tài zhòng, wǒmen xūyào gèng duō rén tái tā.

If the coffin is too heavy, we need more people to lift it.

Word Definition - 棺材

guān cai coffin; CL:具[jù],口[kǒu]

Individual Character Details