How to Write 柜 (guì) — Meaning “cabinet or counter”

Picture a huge (巨) wooden (木) box standing in a room. This image of a large wooden box helps you remember that 柜 means cabinet or counter.

Write the 木 radical first with the four strokes evenly spaced. Then add 巨 on the right, making sure the final stroke is a horizontal fold (㇗) that curves to the right. A common mistake is making the right part look like 区, so keep the bottom stroke straight.

柜 has 木 on the left and 巨 (huge) on the right, while 朱 (zhū) has a different right part that looks like a vertical stroke through the middle. 朴 (pǔ) has 卜 (divination) on the right, which is just a vertical line and a dot. Remember, 柜's right side has three horizontal strokes and a fold.

柜 is used in words like 柜子 (cabinet), 衣柜 (wardrobe), and 柜台 (service counter). In Chinese homes, 柜子 is essential furniture for storage, and in shops, you go to the 柜台 to buy things or ask for help.

Common words containing 柜 include: 柜子 (guì zi) — cabinet or cupboard; 衣柜 (yī guì) — Wardrobe / Closet; 柜台 (guì tái) — counter.