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厢 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
厢xiāngbox (in theater)n, 11 strokes, radical 厂, rank #9961, Hard
厢xiāngside roomn, 11 strokes, radical 厂, rank #9961, Hard
厢xiāngsiden, 11 strokes, radical 厂, rank #9961, Hard
厢xiāngside-room, wing; theatre boxn, 11 strokes, radical 厂, rank #9961, Hard
xiāng(xiang1) T1
  1. 1box (in theater)
  2. 2side room
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March 24, 2026

厢(廂)xiāng(xiang1)

The character 厢 (xiāng) refers to a side room or a box, particularly in a theater setting. It is commonly used to describe seating areas that are situated to the sides of the main stage, often providing a more exclusive viewing experience. This term can also refer to any side compartment or auxiliary space in various contexts.

Strokes11Radical厂Frequency#9961DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese theater, private boxes (厢) are often reserved for distinguished guests, reflecting the cultural importance placed on status and exclusivity in social settings. Attending a performance from a box adds a layer of prestige to the experience.

Memory Tip

Think of 厢 (xiāng) as a 'box' at the theater where you can sit and enjoy a show. The character has a 'roof' (亠) at the top, indicating a covered space, while the bottom part (匚) resembles a box or container. Picture yourself peeking out from a theater box, enjoying the performance.

Meanings of 厢

xiāng(xiang1)
1box (in theater)
2side room
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 厢

厢Simplified
廂Traditional
11Strokes
厂Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9961Frequency Rank

Podcast: 厢

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Podcast: 厢

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AI Study Notes for 厢

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 厢 (xiāng) as a 'box' at the theater where you can sit and enjoy a show. The character has a 'roof' (亠) at the top, indicating a covered space, while the bottom part (匚) resembles a box or container. Picture yourself peeking out from a theater box, enjoying the performance.

Usage Notes

When using 厢, be mindful of its context to avoid confusion with similar terms like 房 (fáng), which means room more generally. It's more common in formal contexts, such as theater discussions or architectural descriptions. Ensure you pronounce it with the correct tone to convey the intended meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 厢 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with words related to spaces, such as 房间 (fángjiān, room) and 盒子 (hézi, box). Focus on understanding its use in specific contexts like theater and architecture to enhance your vocabulary related to places.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese theater, private boxes (厢) are often reserved for distinguished guests, reflecting the cultural importance placed on status and exclusivity in social settings. Attending a performance from a box adds a layer of prestige to the experience.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 厢 with similar characters like 房 (fáng). For example, saying '我去厢' (wǒ qù xiāng) instead of '我去房间' (wǒ qù fángjiān) to mean 'I am going to the room' is incorrect. Ensure to use 厢 in contexts specifically referring to side rooms or boxes.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 厢

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Etymology of 厢

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 厂 represents the meaning and 相 represents the sound. Simplified form of 廂.

Memory Hint

building

Semantic (meaning)厂
+
Phonetic (sound)相
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 厢?

Decomposition of 厢

IDS Structure⿸厂相
厢Full Character
=
厂chang3
enclosing
相Xiang1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 厢?

Write 厢

厢

Practice writing 厢 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 厢

厢 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

通用柴油动力火车头将车____转轨到了4号月台。

The GM diesel engine shunted the coaches to Platform

Example Sentences for 厢 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
通用柴油动力火车头将车厢转轨到了4号月台。

tōng yòng chái yóu dòng lì huǒ chē tóu jiāng chē xiāng zhuǎn guǐ dào le4 4 hào yuè。

The GM diesel engine shunted the coaches to Platform
2
有300个铁路货车车厢等着卸货。

yǒu300 300 gè tiě lù huò chē chē xiāng děng zháo xiè。

Three-hundred railway wagons were waiting to be unloaded.
3
我很遗憾，这几乎完全是一厢情愿的想法。

wǒ hěn yí hàn， ， zhè jī hū wán quán shì yī xiāng qíng yuàn de xiǎng。

This, I am sorry to say, is almost entirely wishful thinking.
4
这列火车在约克市调动车厢分途行驶.

zhè liè huǒ chē zài yuē kè shì tiáo dòng chē xiāng fēn tú háng shǐ.

The train divides at York.
5
去往东尼福特的乘客应上最后两节车厢.

qù wǎng dōng ní fú tè de chéng kè yīng shàng zuì hòu liǎng jié chē xiāng.

Passenger for Donniford shall board the last two coaches of the train.
6
城堡东厢房某处的玻璃被打碎了.

chéng bǎo dōng xiāng fáng mǒu chǔ de bō lí bèi dǎ suì le.

Somewhere behind the east wing of the castle a glass shattered.
7
我最近乘坐二等车厢从比萨到了文蒂米利亚。

wǒ zuì jìn chéng zuò èr děng chē xiāng cóng bǐ sà dào le wén dì mǐ lì yà。

I recently travelled second class from Pisa to Ventimiglia.
8
当火车驶进巴斯尔登站时，一节车厢的门撞到他了。

dāng huǒ chē shǐ jìn bā sī ěr dēng zhàn shí， ， yī jié chē xiāng de mén zhuàng dào tā。

A carriage door struck him as a train drew into Basildon station.
9
请给我两张到利兹的二等车厢单程票.

qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng zhāng dào lì zī de èr děng chē xiāng dān chéng piào.

Two second - class singles to Leeds, please.
10
我刚挤进车厢，车门就关上了。

wǒ gāng jǐ jìn chē xiāng， ， chē mén jiù guān shàng。

I fought my way into a carriage just before the doors closed.

Cultural Notes for 厢

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese theater, private boxes (厢) are often reserved for distinguished guests, reflecting the cultural importance placed on status and exclusivity in social settings. Attending a performance from a box adds a layer of prestige to the experience.

Word Family of 厢

Words Containing This Character9
车厢chēxiāngcarriage車廂
厢xiāngside廂
包厢box (in a theater or concert hall)包廂
一厢情愿one's own wishful thinking一廂情願
厢房side room廂房
城厢Chengxiang district of Putian city 莆田市[Pú​tián​shì], Fujian城廂
西厢记Romance of the West Chamber by Wang Shifu 王實甫|王实甫[Wáng​Shí​fǔ]西廂記
两厢情愿both sides are willing兩廂情願
城厢区Chengxiang district of Putian city 莆田市[Pú​tián​shì], Fujian城廂區
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 车厢 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 厢

In a theater, 厢 refers to the side boxes or compartments where audience members can sit, often providing a good view of the stage.