Definitions

xiāng (noun) box; chest; trunk

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. ⺮ represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

箱 is a phono-semantic compound. The bamboo radical (竹) at the top indicates its original material, while the component 相 (xiāng) at the bottom provides the pronunciation. Initially, it referred specifically to a bamboo basket or a compartment in a carriage for holding goods. Over time, the meaning broadened to denote any kind of box, chest, or trunk, regardless of material. In modern usage, it frequently combines with other characters to name specific containers, such as luggage or shipping containers, illustrating its evolution from a craft-based object to a general term for storage receptacles.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是一个子。

Zhè shì yīgè xiāngzi.

This is a box.

行李在门口。

Xínglǐxiāng zài ménkǒu.

The suitcase is at the door.

请打开那个纸

Qǐng dǎkāi nàgè zhǐxiāng.

Please open that cardboard box.

她把礼物放进珠宝

Tā bǎ lǐwù fàng jìn zhūbǎo xiāng.

She put the gift into the jewelry box.

这个工具里工具很全。

Zhège gōngjù xiāng lǐ gōngjù hěn quán.

The tools in this toolbox are very complete.

他把珍藏的照片锁在铁里。

Tā bǎ zhēncáng de zhàopiàn suǒ zài tiě xiāng lǐ.

He locked the treasured photos in the iron box.

运输货时需要小心轻放。

Yùnshū huòxiāng shí xūyào xiǎoxīn qīng fàng.

When transporting cargo containers, handle with care.

这款冰的智能控制系统非常先进。

Zhè kuǎn bīngxiāng de zhìnéng kòngzhì xìtǒng fēichāng xiānjìn.

The intelligent control system of this refrigerator is very advanced.