椟 (dú) - Du — a box, chest, or casket & often used to refer to a small container

椟Tone 2

dú ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

丁恩

椟 · dú

Du — a box, chest, or casket;

often used to refer to a small container for valuables or documents.

Du — a box, chest, or casketoften used to refer to a small container

Usage highlights

Jewelry boxWooden chestLacquer casketDocument caseTreasure chestBuy a casket and return the pearls

Synonyms

  • 盒— box, case
  • 箱— chest, trunk
  • 匣— small box, casket

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He kept the jewels in a small wooden box (椟).
  • The ancient documents were stored in a lacquer casket (漆椟).
  • She bought a beautiful rosewood case (花梨木椟) for her collection.
  • The family heirloom was hidden in a plain wooden chest (木椟).

Collocations

  • Jewelry box(珠宝椟)
  • Wooden chest(木椟)
  • Lacquer casket(漆椟)
  • Document case(文书椟)
  • Treasure chest(宝椟)
  • Buy a casket and return the pearls(买椟还珠)

Idioms

  • Buy the casket and return the pearls(买椟还珠)
  • A fine casket conceals the treasure(椟藏珍宝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for storing precious items, documents, or ritual objects.
  • The idiom '买椟还珠' (buy the casket and return the pearls) warns against valuing appearance over substance.
  • Often made of fine woods like rosewood or lacquered wood, indicating craftsmanship.

FAQ