衣架

• Pinyin: yī jià
• Hanzi breakdown: 衣 = pictograph of a garment with sleeves; 架 = 加 (add, phonetic) + 木 (wood)

Meaning

Clothes hanger; coat rack. A frame or hook used for hanging clothes.

Refers to both individual hangers used inside wardrobes and standalone coat racks or clothing stands. In colloquial Chinese, calling someone a 衣架 is a compliment meaning they look good in any clothes, like a fashion model.

Examples

1. 请把外套挂在衣架上。 Please hang your coat on the hanger.
2. 我需要买几个新的衣架。 I need to buy a few new hangers.
3. 衣架上挂满了衣服。 The clothes rack is full of clothes.

Usage Guide

Context: household, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 把衣服挂到衣架上吧。(Hang the clothes on the hanger.)
• 门口有一个衣架，可以挂外套。(There is a coat rack by the door where you can hang your coat.)

Don't Say

• 把衣服放在衣架里。(Don't use 里 with 衣架 — clothes go 在衣架上 on the hanger, not inside it.)

Origin & History

衣 (clothes) + 架 (frame/rack). A compound noun literally meaning 'a frame for clothes'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal