盒子
hézi
In Chinese, the word for box can be expressed in several ways, with 盒子 (hézi) being the default form. Wiktionary also lists 箱子 (xiāngzi) and 箱 (xiāng).
Meaning: cuboid space, container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 盒子 | hézi |
| 箱子 | xiāngzi |
| 箱 | xiāng |
| 匣子 | xiázi |
The terms for box generally refer to a cuboid space or a container.
Which one should you use?
盒子 is typically used for smaller, general-purpose boxes or containers.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting boxes, you must use a measure word, most commonly 一个 (yī gè) for 盒子 or 一个箱子 (yī gè xiāngzi) for 箱子.
How do you pronounce it?
hézi
When do people say it?
A specific type of container known as 红包盒 means red envelope box.
Did you know?
- The character in 箱 contains the 'bamboo' radical, showing that ancient Chinese boxes were often made from woven bamboo rather than wood.
- Using 匣子 instead of 盒子 can subtly signal to a listener that the items inside are delicate, precious or highly valuable.
- The term 箱子 is the preferred word when you are talking about heavy-duty items like suitcases or large crates, whereas 盒子 is for lighter objects.
Examples in context
- 怎麼做箱子？How do you make a box?This sentence shows how to ask about the construction of a 箱子.Tatoeba #5595090 by verdastelo9604, translation #38347 by CK
- 把箱子放下。Put the box down.This sentence demonstrates the command to put a 箱子 down.Tatoeba #6197293 by verdastelo9604, translation #3155619 by CK
- 箱子不是空的。The box wasn't empty.This sentence is used to state that a 箱子 was not empty.Tatoeba #5555559 by verdastelo9604, translation #3737586 by CK
- 这个箱子很大。This box is very big.
- 请帮我搬一下这个箱子。Please help me move this box.
- 你看, 我给你买了一个盒子。Look, I bought you a box.
- 把这个东西放进盒子里。Put this thing into the box.
- 我最喜欢收集鞋盒。I love collecting shoe boxes.
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Zihan are tidying up a room.
- 浩然 Haoran这个盒子在哪里？Zhège hézi zài nǎlǐ?Where is this box?
- 梓涵 Zihan在桌子下面，浩然。Zài zhuōzi xiàmiàn, Hàorán.It is under the table, Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran我想把东西放进盒子。Wǒ xiǎng bǎ dōngxī fàng jìn hézi.I want to put the things in the box.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，梓涵帮你拿。Hǎo de, Zǐhán bāng nǐ ná.Okay, Zihan will get it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “box” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 箱, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
