成箱 (chéng xiāng) — (used before a noun or verb) in boxes, by the boxful

Definition

成箱 is a verb-like adverbial phrase meaning 'in boxes' or 'by the boxful' — used before a noun or verb to indicate things are packed or sold in full boxes, not individually.

verb
(used before a noun or verb) in boxesby the boxful
Easily confused

Examples

  • 成箱。
    Tā mǎi le chéng xiāng de pí jiǔ.
    He bought boxes of beer.
  • 成箱。
    Zhè xiē shuǐ guǒ shì chéng xiāng yùn lái de.
    These fruits were shipped in boxes.
  • 成箱。
    Chāo shì lǐ chéng xiāng mài bǐng gān.
    The supermarket sells cookies by the box.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

成chéngbecome
箱xiāngbox

成 gives the idea of becoming or into, and 箱 gives boxes, so the sense is by the boxful.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
戊戊wù
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng成chéng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Open 成 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
𥫗Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
相
相xiāng箱xiāng
Same sound today

箱 combines 竹, showing bamboo, with 相 as a sound part, to write a bamboo box or case.

Open 箱 →

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