手提箱
shǒutíxiāng
The English phrase suitcase is translated into Chinese as 手提箱 (shǒutíxiāng). Wiktionary also lists 皮箱 (píxiāng) and 行李箱 (xínglǐxiāng).
Meaning: large piece of luggage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 手提箱 | shǒutíxiāng |
| 皮箱 | píxiāng |
| 行李箱 | xínglǐxiāng |
| 衣箱 | yīxiāng |
The term used for a suitcase depends on its specific characteristics or the context of travel. 行李箱 is the standard term used when discussing travel, airports or checking the weight of luggage.
What does it mean word for word?
The default form 手提箱 means hand-carry box, composed of 手 (hand), 提 (to carry/lift) and 箱 (box/case). The form 行李箱 means luggage box, composed of 行李 (luggage) and 箱 (box/case).
Which one should you use?
行李箱 is the most common and general term for a suitcase. In contrast, 手提箱 specifically emphasizes the act of carrying the item by hand. If the suitcase is made of leather or is a briefcase-style case, you should use 皮箱. Additionally, the term 旅行箱 translates to 'travel box'. Other variations include 衣箱.
How do you pronounce it?
shǒutíxiāng
Did you know?
- The character 箱 in 行李箱 is a phono-semantic compound where the left side represents 'bamboo', the original material used for Chinese cases.
- While English speakers say 'suitcase', a Chinese speaker might call it a 皮箱 (leather box) even if the suitcase is made of modern polycarbonate or aluminum. This is because the term 'leather box' has historically been the standard way to refer to a portable case.
- If you are talking about a trolley suitcase with wheels, you might add the word 拉 (to pull) to your description, changing the way you describe the action of moving the 'box'.
Examples in context
- 您的行李箱有多重?How heavy is your suitcase?This sentence is useful for asking about the weight of a luggage box.Tatoeba #2243466 by cienias, translation #2610048 by WestofEden
- 她在行李箱中放進了兩條褲襪。She put two pairs of sheer tights in the suitcase.This sentence is useful for describing putting items inside a luggage box.Tatoeba #6075267 by xjjAstrus, translation #6075489 by mendel
- 你不想看我的行李箱裡有什麼嗎？Don't you want to see what I have in my suitcase?This sentence is useful for asking someone to look inside a luggage box.Tatoeba #13598238 by LeviHighway, translation #6066853 by CK
- 我需要买一个新的行李箱。I need to buy a new suitcase.
- 我在机场丢了我的旅行箱。I lost my suitcase at the airport.
- 我在旅馆里的手提箱里放了我的护照。I put my passport in my carry-on suitcase at the hotel.
- 我买了一个新的行李包。I bought a new suitcase.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a train station, a man is helping a woman with her luggage.
- 俊杰 Junjie这个手提箱很重吗？Zhège shǒutíxiāng hěn zhòng ma?Is this suitcase very heavy?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen有一点重，谢谢你。Yǒu yīdiǎn zhòng, xièxiè nǐ.It is a little heavy, thank you.
- 俊杰 Junjie我帮你提一下吧。Wǒ bāng nǐ tí yīxià ba.Let me help you carry it.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那太好了，辛苦你了。Nà tài hǎo le, xīnkǔ nǐ le.That would be great, thanks for your help.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suitcase” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
