箱子

• Pinyin: xiāng zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 箱 = 竹 (bamboo) + 相 (phonetic) — box or chest; 子 = pictograph of a child, used as a nominal suffix

Meaning

Box; chest; suitcase. A container with rigid sides used for storing or transporting items.

A general term for any kind of box or chest, from small storage boxes to large travel suitcases. More informal and concrete than 行李箱 (travel suitcase) or 纸箱 (cardboard box). Used in everyday speech to refer to a physical container. Can refer to wooden chests, storage boxes, or luggage.

Examples

1. 她把旧照片都放进了一个木头箱子里。 She put all the old photos into a wooden chest.
2. 这个箱子太重了，我一个人搬不动。 This box is too heavy — I can't move it on my own.
3. 出发前，他把衣服整整齐齐地放进箱子里。 Before setting off, he neatly folded his clothes into the suitcase.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的箱子里装的是什么？(What is in your box/suitcase?)
• 我需要一个大箱子来装这些东西。(I need a large box to hold all these things.)

Don't Say

• 把箱子专门用于指旅行箱。(Don't restrict 箱子 to mean only a travel suitcase — 箱子 is a general term for any kind of box or chest; use 行李箱 specifically for travel luggage.)

Origin & History

Compound of 箱 (box/chest) and 子 (noun suffix), forming the standard colloquial term for a box or chest.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal