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篋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
qiètrunk, chest, box; portfoliox, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, Very Hard
qiè(qie4) T4
  1. 1trunk, chest, box; portfolio
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
qiè(qie4)

The character 篋 (qiè) refers to a trunk, chest, or box, often used to store belongings or valuables. In a more abstract context, it can also denote a portfolio, particularly in artistic or professional settings. This term is less common in everyday conversation but is relevant in specific contexts such as literature or discussions about storage.

Strokes15RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In historical Chinese culture, trunks and chests were essential for transporting goods and personal items, especially during travels or migrations. They often symbolize wealth and the importance of keeping valuables secure.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sturdy wooden box (the character's shape resembles a box) filled with treasures that you keep safe. The sound 'qiè' can be remembered by thinking of 'check' as you open the box to check on your valuables inside.

Meanings of 篋

qiè(qie4)
1trunk, chest, box; portfolio
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 篋

Simplified
15Strokes
Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 篋

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AI Study Notes for 篋

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a sturdy wooden box (the character's shape resembles a box) filled with treasures that you keep safe. The sound 'qiè' can be remembered by thinking of 'check' as you open the box to check on your valuables inside.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of using 篋 in informal conversations, as it is more suitable for literary or formal contexts. Common collocations include '文具篋' (stationery box) or '宝物篋' (treasure chest). Ensure you pronounce it with the correct fourth tone to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 篋 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, students can relate it to HSK 4 words like 箱子 (xiāngzi, box) and 物品 (wùpǐn, items) which also deal with storage. Focus on understanding how this character fits into discussions about physical objects and their functions.

Cultural Note

In historical Chinese culture, trunks and chests were essential for transporting goods and personal items, especially during travels or migrations. They often symbolize wealth and the importance of keeping valuables secure.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse 篋 with other box-related characters like 箱 (xiāng) due to similar meanings. Remember that 篋 often has a more specific or formal context. For example, saying '我们去买一个篋' (Wǒmen qù mǎi yīgè qiè) is incorrect; it should be '我们去买一个箱子' (Wǒmen qù mǎi yīgè xiāngzi).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 篋

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Etymology of 篋

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A bamboo ⺮ chest 匧; 匧 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 篋?

Decomposition of 篋

IDS Structure⿱⺮匧
Full Character
=
zhu2
top
qie4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 篋?

Write 篋

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Cultural Notes for 篋

🏮Cultural insight

In historical Chinese culture, trunks and chests were essential for transporting goods and personal items, especially during travels or migrations. They often symbolize wealth and the importance of keeping valuables secure.

Word Family of 篋

Words Containing This Character4
qièchest
翻箱倒箧to overturn trunks and boxes翻箱倒篋
筐箧中物a commonplace thing筐篋中物
倾箱倒箧to exhaust all one has傾箱倒篋
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 箧 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 篋

篋 (qiè) typically refers to a more formal or decorative box, while 箱子 (xiāngzi) is a more general term for any kind of box.