How to Write 匧 (qiè) — Meaning “small box; trunk”

Imagine a small box (匚) that is clamped shut with a pair of clamps (夹). This visual of a clamped trunk helps you remember that 匧 means a small box or trunk.

Write the outer radical 匚 first in three strokes: horizontal, left vertical, bottom horizontal. Then write the inner component 夹 with six strokes: horizontal, left-falling, horizontal, left-falling, right-falling, dot. A common mistake is making the inner part too large or touching the top stroke of the box.

Compared to 匣 (xiá, small box) and 匦 (guǐ, petition box), 匧 is less common and often refers to a larger trunk or chest. Visually, 匧 has 夹 inside, while 匣 has 甲 inside and 匦 has 贵 inside, so the inner component is the key difference.

匧 is very rare in modern Chinese, appearing only in classical or literary compound words like 书匧 (book chest) and 行匧 (traveling trunk). It carries a historical, scholarly feel, as ancient scholars used book chests to carry scrolls during travel.

Common words containing 匧 include: 匧子 (qiè zi) — small box; case; 书匧 (shū qiè) — Book chest; 行匧 (xíng qiè) — Suitcase / Traveling trunk.