HSK 4, q, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #2123, Medium
箱
xiāng
trunk
HSK 4, q, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #2123, Medium
箱
xiāng
chest
HSK 4, q, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #2123, Medium
箱
xiāng
box, case; chest, trunk
HSK 4, q, 15 strokes, radical ⺮, rank #2123, Medium
xiāng(xiang1) T1
1box
2trunk
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March 24, 2026
箱xiāng(xiang1)
The character 箱 (xiāng) refers to a box or container, often used for storage or transport. It can denote various types of cases, such as a trunk for clothing or a chest for valuables, and is commonly encountered in contexts involving packing and organization.
Strokes15Radical⺮Frequency#2123DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, boxes like 箱 are often used during festivals or family gatherings to store and present gifts, showcasing the importance of presentation and organization in social settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a large wooden box (箱) that holds all your memories. The character looks like a box with a cover on top, and the sound 'xiāng' can remind you of the sound of a trunk being opened, revealing its treasures.
Meanings of 箱
xiāng(xiang1)
1box
2trunk
Exercise 1 of 3
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 箱
箱Simplified
15Strokes
⺮Radical
量词liàngcímeasure word (mw.)Part of Speech
#2123Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 箱
Podcast: 箱
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AI Study Notes for 箱
Quick Contrast
箱 (xiāng) vs 笼 (lóng) — use 箱 for storage boxes, while 笼 is for cages or enclosures.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a large wooden box (箱) that holds all your memories. The character looks like a box with a cover on top, and the sound 'xiāng' can remind you of the sound of a trunk being opened, revealing its treasures.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 箱 with similar characters like 盒 (hé, box) or 桌 (zhuō, table). It is more formal and specific to larger containers, so use it in contexts where you are referring to storage or transport boxes. Be mindful of the fourth tone; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Although 箱 is not in the HSK levels, it is beneficial for HSK 3-4 learners as it relates to common vocabulary about everyday objects. Connecting it with other storage-related vocabulary will enhance your understanding and usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, boxes like 箱 are often used during festivals or family gatherings to store and present gifts, showcasing the importance of presentation and organization in social settings.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 箱 when referring to smaller containers, such as saying '一个箱' (yī gè xiāng) for a small gift box instead of '一个盒' (yī gè hé). Additionally, learners may mispronounce it as xiang in the first tone instead of the correct fourth tone xiāng.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 箱
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Grammar Patterns of 箱
箱 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 4 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.
bù yào bǎ xiāng zǐ xià miàn nà jī dié chuáng dān nòng luàn le。
Don't upset the piles of sheets under the box.
Cultural Notes for 箱
💡Did you know?
In ancient China, boxes made of bamboo were often used to transport goods. The character 箱 reflects this tradition, as it combines the concept of storage with the material commonly used at the time.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, boxes like 箱 are often used during festivals or family gatherings to store and present gifts, showcasing the importance of presentation and organization in social settings.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In many cultures, boxes symbolize security and protection. In Chinese culture, a beautifully decorated box can also be a gift container, embodying good wishes and care.
Word Family of 箱
Words Containing This Character20
箱xiāngbox
箱子xiāngzisuitcase
冰箱bīngxiāngicebox
保险箱a safe保險箱
邮箱yóuxiāngmailbox郵箱
集装箱jízhuāngxiāngcontainer (for shipping)集裝箱
信箱xìnxiāngmailbox
音箱loudspeaker box
烤箱oven
行李箱xínglixiāngsuitcase
油箱oil tank
变速箱gearbox變速箱
翻箱倒柜to overturn trunks and boxes翻箱倒櫃
手提箱suitcase
垃圾箱rubbish can
水箱water tank
工具箱toolbox
电冰箱refrigerator電冰箱
纸箱carton紙箱
皮箱leather suitcase
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 箱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 箱
Common phrases include '纸箱' (zhǐxiāng) meaning 'cardboard box' and '行李箱' (xínglǐxiāng) meaning 'luggage' or 'travel trunk'. These phrases illustrate the various contexts in which 箱 can be used.
Yes, 箱 can appear in idioms or expressions related to storage or organization, although it is not as commonly featured in idiomatic phrases compared to other characters. It's still useful to know its meaning and usage when discussing objects or items.
箱 (xiāng) means 'box', 'trunk', or 'chest' in Chinese. It is commonly used to refer to a container for storage or transportation. For example, you might use it when talking about luggage or storage boxes.
You can use 箱 (xiāng) in sentences such as '我需要一个箱子来装衣服' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè xiāngzi lái zhuāng yīfú), which means 'I need a box to pack my clothes.' This shows how it can refer to a physical object used for storage.
You can say '我有一个箱子' (wǒ yǒu yīgè xiāngzi), meaning 'I have a box.'
箱 refers to larger boxes or trunks, while 盒 typically refers to smaller boxes or cases, like a jewelry box.
No, 箱 specifically refers to larger storage containers, while other terms like 盒 or 瓶 (píng, bottle) are used for smaller or different types of containers.
