unknown, 16 strokes, radical 木, rank #19432, Very Hard
chú(chu2) T2
1cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe
2closet
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March 24, 2026
橱(櫥)chú(chu2)
The character 橱 (chú) refers to a cabinet or cupboard, commonly used for storing items such as clothing or kitchenware. It is often used in contexts related to furniture and household organization, reflecting the importance of storage in daily life.
Strokes16Radical木Frequency#19432DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, having a well-organized home with ample storage reflects values of cleanliness and orderliness. The design of cabinets often reflects traditional craftsmanship, highlighting the significance of furniture in social gatherings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large wooden cabinet with doors that open wide, revealing neatly organized shelves. The character 橱 has the radical 木 (wood), connecting it to the idea of a wooden cupboard, and sounds like 'chew' — picture chewing on a piece of furniture because it’s so appealingly organized!
Meanings of 橱
chú(chu2)
1cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe
2closet
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 橱
橱Simplified
櫥Traditional
16Strokes
木Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 橱
Podcast: 橱
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 橱
Quick Contrast
橱 (cabinet) vs 柜 (wardrobe) — use 橱 for general storage cabinets, while 柜 specifically refers to wardrobes or cabinets for hanging clothes.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 橱 with other similar characters like 柜 (guì), which specifically means 'cabinet' but often refers to a more formal context. Use 橱 in everyday conversations about home and furniture. Pay attention to the tone; using a neutral tone can confuse it with other words.
HSK Study Tips
While 橱 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to related words at HSK Level 3, such as 家 (jiā, home), enhancing vocabulary around household items. Focus on pronunciation and usage in sentences about home settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 橱 with 柜 (guì), mistakenly saying 柜 instead of 橱 when referring to a wardrobe. Remember that 橱 specifically refers to a cupboard or wardrobe, while 柜 is more formal and often used for cabinets.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 橱
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1The giveawayA wooden 木 cabinet 厨; 厨 also provides the pronunciation
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 橱? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 橱?
Decomposition of 橱
IDS Structure⿰木厨
橱Full Character
=
木Mu4
left
厨chu2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 橱?
How to say cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe in Chinese
“cabinet, cupboard, wardrobe” in Chinese is橱chú
The character 橱 (chú) refers to a cabinet or cupboard, commonly used for storing items such as clothing or kitchenware. It is often used in contexts related to furniture and household organization, reflecting the importance of storage in daily life.
When to use 橱
Common mistakes include confusing 橱 with other similar characters like 柜 (guì), which specifically means 'cabinet' but often refers to a more formal context. Use 橱 in everyday conversations about home and furniture. Pay attention to the tone; using a neutral tone can confuse it with other words.
橱 or something close to it
橱 (cabinet) vs 柜 (wardrobe) — use 橱 for general storage cabinets, while 柜 specifically refers to wardrobes or cabinets for hanging clothes.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 橱 with 柜 (guì), mistakenly saying 柜 instead of 橱 when referring to a wardrobe. Remember that 橱 specifically refers to a cupboard or wardrobe, while 柜 is more formal and often used for cabinets.
Write 橱
橱
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Practice writing 橱 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 橱
橱 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 2 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
她伸手又从衣____里取出一件运动服。
She reached into the wardrobe and extracted another tracksuit.
