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柜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
柜guìSalix multinervisn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜guìcupboardn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜guìcabinetn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜guìwardroben, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜guìcabinet, cupboard, wardrobe; shop countern, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜jǔSalix multinervisn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜jǔcupboardn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜jǔcabinetn, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜jǔwardroben, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
柜jǔcabinet, cupboard, wardrobe; shop countern, 8 strokes, radical 木, rank #3536, Hard
guì(gui4)gui
primary
T4
  1. 1Salix multinervis
  2. 2cupboard
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

柜(櫃)guì(gui4)

The character '柜' (guì) refers to a cupboard or cabinet, commonly used in contexts related to furniture, storage, and retail environments. It can also indicate a shop counter where transactions take place. This term is crucial for understanding household items and shopping vocabulary in Mandarin.

Strokes8Radical木Frequency#3536DifficultyHard
Cultural note

'柜' is commonly found in Chinese homes and stores, reflecting the importance of organized storage and display in daily life. The concept of shop counters ('柜台') is integral to traditional markets where goods are displayed and transactions are made.

Memory tip

Imagine a large cabinet (柜) filled with various compartments (the character visually suggests compartments or sections). To remember its pronunciation 'guì', think of a quirky shopkeeper (who might be named 'Gui') behind the counter (柜) showcasing their wares.

Meanings of 柜

guì(gui4)
primary
1Salix multinervis
2cupboard
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 柜 means.

About 柜

柜Simplified
櫃Traditional
8Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3536Frequency Rank

Podcast: 柜

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Podcast: 柜

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AI study notes for 柜

Quick Contrast

柜 (guì, cabinet) vs 橱 (chú, cupboard) — use 柜 for shop counters or transaction contexts, while 橱 typically refers to kitchen storage.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse '柜' with similar characters like '橱' (chú), which also means cabinet but refers specifically to kitchen cabinets. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, and common collocations include '书柜' (shū guì - bookshelf) and '衣柜' (yī guì - wardrobe). Pay attention to the tone; 'guì' has a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although '柜' may not be explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above, especially in discussions about home and shopping. Students should focus on related vocabulary like '衣柜' and '书柜' to build their understanding of furniture-related terms.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes write '柜' incorrectly by confusing it with '柜' (the same character) or mixing up pronunciation with '贵' (guì - expensive). Always ensure to use the proper tone and context to avoid these confusions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柜

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Etymology of 柜

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

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 巨 represents the sound. Simplified form of 櫃.

Memory hint

wood

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

Origin

柜 = 木 + 巨. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 柜

IDS Structure⿰木巨
柜Full character
=
木Mu4
left
巨ju4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 柜?

How to say Salix multinervis in Chinese

“Salix multinervis” in Chinese is柜guì

The character '柜' (guì) refers to a cupboard or cabinet, commonly used in contexts related to furniture, storage, and retail environments. It can also indicate a shop counter where transactions take place. This term is crucial for understanding household items and shopping vocabulary in Mandarin.

When to use 柜

Learners often confuse '柜' with similar characters like '橱' (chú), which also means cabinet but refers specifically to kitchen cabinets. This word is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, and common collocations include '书柜' (shū guì - bookshelf) and '衣柜' (yī guì - wardrobe). Pay attention to the tone; 'guì' has a falling tone.

柜 or something close to it

柜 (guì, cabinet) vs 橱 (chú, cupboard) — use 柜 for shop counters or transaction contexts, while 橱 typically refers to kitchen storage.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes write '柜' incorrectly by confusing it with '柜' (the same character) or mixing up pronunciation with '贵' (guì - expensive). Always ensure to use the proper tone and context to avoid these confusions.

Write 柜

柜

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 柜

柜 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 5 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

用你最喜欢的香味熏香你的抽屉和衣____。

Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas.

Common confusions with 柜

柜vs櫃
guì

Similar meaning but different character form.

Exercise 1 of 1

Which one

Which one means “Salix multinervis”?

or

Usage Notes for 柜

Common Mistake in WritingCommon Error

Learners often confuse the characters 柜 and 櫃 due to their similar meanings and pronunciations.

1

我需要一个柜子。

I need a cabinet.

Exercise 1 of 1

Get it right

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

我需要一个____子。

I need a cabinet.

Example sentences for 柜 (16)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
用你最喜欢的香味熏香你的抽屉和衣柜。

yòng nǐ zuì xǐhuan de xiāngwèi xūn xiāng nǐ de chōuti hé yī guì。

Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas.
2
他勉强能看到柜台后面的小个子男人。

tā miǎnqiǎng néng kàndào guìtái hòumiàn de xiǎo gèzi nánrén。

He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
3
他走到床头柜的另一边关了灯。

tā zǒu dào chuáng tóu guì de lìng yìbiān guān le dēng。

He crossed to the bedside table and put out the light.
4
铺位下方有成排的储物柜可以存放东西。

pū wèi xià fāng yǒu chéng pái de Chǔ wù guì kěyǐ cúnfàng dōngxi。

Stowage is provided in lined lockers beneath the berths.
5
商店售货员靠在柜台上漫不经心地招呼我。

shāngdiàn shòuhuòyuán kào zài guìtái shàng màn bù Jīng xīn dì zhāohu wǒ。

The shop assistant received me indifferently while leaning on a counter.
6
她在床头柜上放了一杯茶。

tā zài chuáng tóu guì shàng fàng le yī bēi chá。

She put a cup of tea down on the bedside table.
7
我从餐具柜里取出一瓶自己收藏的最好的麦芽威士忌。

wǒ cóng cān jù guì lǐ qǔ chū yī píng zìjǐ shōucáng de zuìhǎo de mài yá wēi shì jì。

I got a bottle of my best malt out of the sideboard.
8
所有这些橱柜和家用电器都是20世纪50年代的物品。

suǒyǒu zhèxiē chú guì hé jiāyòng diànqì dōushì20 shìjì50 niándài de wùpǐn。

All the cupboards and appliances dated from the 1950s.
9
劳拉从衣柜里拿出了她最近的购物战果,一件鲜红色连衣裙。

láo lā cóng yī guì lǐ náchū le tā zuìjìn de gòuwù zhàn guǒ, yī jiàn xiān hóngsè lián yī qún。

From her wardrobe Laura took her latest acquisition, a bright red dress.
10
柜台后面有一台开着的便携式小型电视机。

guìtái hòumiàn yǒu yī tái kāi zhe de biànxiéshì xiǎoxíng diànshìjī。

There was a little portable television switched on behind the bar.
11
在公园里,我们看到了一棵很大的柜树。

Zài gōngyuán lǐ, wǒmen kàn dào le yī kē hěn dà de guì shù.

In the park, we saw a very large Salix multinervis tree.
12
我家附近的湖边长着很多柜。

Wǒ jiā fùjìn de hú biān zhǎng zhe hěn duō guì.

There are many Salix multinervis growing by the lake near my home.
13
春天的时候,柜的叶子长得很茂盛。

Chūntiān de shíhou, guì de yèzi zhǎng de hěn màoshèng.

In spring, the leaves of the Salix multinervis grow very lush.
14
护堤上种满了柜,可以防止水土流失。

Hùdī shàng zhòng mǎn le guì, kěyǐ fángzhǐ shuǐtǔ liúshī.

The embankment is planted with Salix multinervis to prevent soil erosion.
15
在河边,我们发现了一大片柜,风一吹就沙沙作响。

Zài hé biān, wǒmen fāxiàn le yī dà piàn guì, fēng yī chuī jiù shā shā zuò xiǎng.

By the river, we found a large area of Salix multinervis, rustling in the wind.
16
农民们常常在田边种柜,因为它们能保护土壤。

Nóngmínmen chángcháng zài tián biān zhòng guì, yīnwèi tāmen néng bǎohù tǔrǎng.

Farmers often plant Salix multinervis at the edge of fields because they can protect the soil.

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Word Family of 柜

Words containing this character16
柜guìcupboard櫃
柜台guìtáibar櫃檯
柜子guìzicupboard櫃子
专柜zhuānguìsales counter dedicated to a certain kind of product (e.g. alcohol)專櫃
衣柜yīguìwardrobe衣櫃
保险柜bǎoxiǎnguìa safe保險櫃
橱柜chúguìcupboard櫥櫃
掌柜zhǎngguìshopkeeper掌櫃
翻箱倒柜fānxiāngdǎoguìto overturn trunks and boxes翻箱倒櫃
床头柜chuángtóuguìbedside cabinet床頭櫃
冰柜bīngguìfreezer冰櫃
货柜huòguìcontainer (for shipping)貨櫃
书柜shūguìbookcase書櫃
碗柜wǎnguìcupboard碗櫃
雪柜xuěguìicebox雪櫃
金柜jīnguìsafe金櫃
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 柜

What does 柜台 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 柜

'柜' generally refers to a cupboard or cabinet in general, while '橱' typically denotes kitchen cabinets.

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