Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#19432DifficultyHard
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
New here?
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.
Memory Mnemonic
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!
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 橱 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 橱 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 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.
She packaged up the old clothes and put them in the closet.
Cultural Notes for 橱
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Word Family of 橱
Words Containing This Character6
橱柜cupboard櫥櫃
衣橱wardrobe衣櫥
橱窗display window櫥窗
壁橱closet壁櫥
橱chúwardrobe櫥
书橱shūchúbookcase書櫥
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 橱柜 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 橱
Common collocations include 橱柜 (chúguì, 'cupboard') and 衣橱 (yīchú, 'wardrobe').
It is generally used in informal contexts related to home furniture; for formal settings, you might use 柜 instead.
