盒子
hézi · HSK 5
box
📦 盒 = lid 合 + 皿 dish; 子 noun suffix — a closing dish = box
盒 combines 合 (close, join) over 皿 (dish/vessel), literally a vessel that closes. 子 is a common noun suffix. So 盒子 reads as closing-vessel-thing, i.e. a box or case. Hézi rhymes with 'hay-dzuh'.
盒 — lid 亼 (cover) + 皿 (vessel)
盒 depicts a covered container: 亼 on top represents a lid coming together, while 皿 below shows a dish or vessel. Together they form the meaning 'box' or 'small case with a lid.' The character is semantic in structure, with 合 also hinting at the sound by suggesting things joining or closing.
子 — pictograph of a baby/child with arms out
子 began as a pictograph of a swaddled infant with a large head and outstretched arms, originally meaning 'baby' or 'child.' From there it broadened to 'son,' 'offspring,' and a respectful suffix for masters like 孔子 (Confucius). It also became one of the twelve earthly branches.