货柜 (huò guì) — shipping container, freight container; counter…

Definition

货柜 has two unrelated meanings: the large shipping container used to transport goods (think overseas freight), and a counter at a bar or store.

noun

shipping containerfreight containercounter (in a store, bar, or restaurant)

Measure word · 个

货柜。
Zhè xiē huò wù xū yào yòng huò guì yùn shū.
These goods need to be transported in a container.
货柜。
Chāo shì de huò guì qián pái duì de rén hěn duō.
There are many people queuing in front of the supermarket counter.
货柜，。
Tā bǎ jiǔ bēi fàng zài huò guì shàng, yòu dǎo le yì bēi.
He put the glass on the bar counter and poured another drink.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

'货' means goods and '柜' means a cabinet or counter, so 货柜 is a container or goods counter.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 貨; 货 is its simplified writing.

化貝貨

Meaning part形符xíngfú

貝貝bèishell, money

Sound part声符shēngfú

化

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 貨 pairs 化 (sound) with 貝 (shell, money) to write valuable goods; the simplified 货 is a shorthand.

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

木巨柜

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

巨

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

柜 combines 木 (tree) with 巨, which gives the sound.

Appears in