厢 (xiāng) - Side room & wing-room

厢Tone 1

xiāng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

厢 · xiāng

Side room;

wing-room;

box (theater);

railway carriage;

side (as in 'this side');

used to specify a particular location or direction.

Side roomwing-roombox (theater)

Usage highlights

WingRailway carriageTheater boxEast wingWest wingOne side

Synonyms

  • 房— room (more general term)
  • 室— chamber, room

Antonyms

  • 正— main, central (as opposed to side/wing)
  • 中— center, middle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The east wing-room (东厢) was used for guests.
  • We booked a box at the theater (戏院包厢).
  • This railway carriage (车厢) is very crowded.
  • Please put it on this side (这厢).

Collocations

  • Wing-room(厢房)
  • Railway carriage(车厢)
  • Theater box(包厢)
  • East wing(东厢)
  • West wing(西厢)
  • One side(一厢情愿)

Idioms

  • Wishful thinking(一厢情愿)
  • Romance of the Western Chamber(西厢记)
  • Both sides willing(两厢情愿)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese architecture, '厢' refers to wing-rooms flanking the main hall, typically for family members or guests.
  • The term gained romantic connotations through the famous Yuan dynasty play 'Romance of the Western Chamber' (西厢记).
  • In modern usage, extended to mean compartments like railway cars or theater boxes.

FAQ