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匭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
匭guǐchest, casket, small boxzg, 11 strokes, radical 匚
guǐ(gui3) T3
  1. 1chest, casket, small box
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

匭guǐ(gui3)

The character 匭 (guǐ) refers to a small box or chest, often used to store items. This word is less common in modern usage but can be found in classical texts or specific contexts relating to storage or containers. It conveys the idea of a receptacle that holds valuables or important items.

Strokes11Radical匚
Cultural Note

In ancient Chinese culture, small boxes like 匭 were often used to store personal items, such as jewelry or documents, reflecting the value placed on material possessions and their safekeeping.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small, elegant chest (匭) that holds your treasured possessions. The character has a box-like shape, resembling a casket, which can help you remember its meaning. Think of the sound 'guǐ' as the sound of a key unlocking a treasure chest.

Meanings of 匭

guǐ(gui3)
1chest, casket, small box
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 匭

匭Simplified
11Strokes
匚Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 匭

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Podcast: 匭

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AI Study Notes for 匭

Usage Notes

While 匭 is a valid word to describe a small box, it may sound archaic in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more common words for box, such as 箱 (xiāng). Use it in formal or literary contexts to sound sophisticated.

HSK Study Tips

As this character is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it may be beneficial for learners at higher levels interested in classical literature or specific terminology. Focus on recognizing the character and its historical usage rather than active use.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 匭 with more frequently used terms like 箱 (xiāng) for box. For example, saying '我有一个匭' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè guǐ) may not be appropriate; instead, use '我有一个箱' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè xiāng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 匭

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Etymology of 匭

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

box

Semantic (meaning)匚
+
Phonetic (sound)軌
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 匭

  1. 1The meaning half匚 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half軌 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaybox
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 匭? 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 匭?

Decomposition of 匭

IDS Structure⿷匚軌
匭Full Character
=
匚fang1
enclosing
軌gui3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 匭?

How to say chest, casket, small box in Chinese

“chest, casket, small box” in Chinese is匭guǐ

The character 匭 (guǐ) refers to a small box or chest, often used to store items. This word is less common in modern usage but can be found in classical texts or specific contexts relating to storage or containers. It conveys the idea of a receptacle that holds valuables or important items.

When to use 匭

While 匭 is a valid word to describe a small box, it may sound archaic in everyday conversation. Learners should be cautious not to confuse it with more common words for box, such as 箱 (xiāng). Use it in formal or literary contexts to sound sophisticated.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 匭 with more frequently used terms like 箱 (xiāng) for box. For example, saying '我有一个匭' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè guǐ) may not be appropriate; instead, use '我有一个箱' (Wǒ yǒu yī gè xiāng).

Write 匭

匭

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 匭

Words Containing This Character1
匦guǐsmall box匭
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 匦 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 匭

No, it's more commonly found in classical texts or specific contexts, rather than in everyday conversation.

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