匣子 (xiá zi) — small box, casket | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

small boxcasket

Measure word · 个

匣子。
Zhè ge xiá zi shì mù tou zuò de.
This small box is made of wood.
匣子。
Tā bǎ shǒu shì dōu fàng zài yí gè xiá zi lǐ.
She put all her jewelry in a small box.
匣子。
Nà ge xiá zi lǐ zhuāng mǎn le táng guǒ.
That small box is filled with candy.

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

匣 gives the box sense; the whole word names a small box or case.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

匚甲匣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

匚匚fāng

Sound part声符shēngfú

甲

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

匣 uses 匚 to show the idea of a box or case, and 甲 to give the sound.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.