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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "contain" with 装 (zhuāng)

    Existence & Possession

    Structure

    Container + 装 + 的 + Content

    Explanation

    装 (zhuāng) can mean "to contain" or "to hold," describing what is inside a container. For example, 里面装的是水 means "what's inside is water." It emphasizes the contents held within something rather than the act of putting things in.

    Examples

    • 这个箱子里装的全是旧照片。

      Zhège xiāngzi lǐ zhuāng de quán shì jiù zhàopiàn.

      This box is full of old photos.

    • 你的书包里装了多少东西啊？

      Nǐ de shūbāo lǐ zhuāng le duōshǎo dōngxi a?

      How much stuff did you pack in your backpack?

    • 这个瓶子装的是酱油，不是醋。

      Zhège píngzi zhuāng de shì jiàngyóu, bù shì cù.

      This bottle contains soy sauce, not vinegar.

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    Expressing "contain" with 装 (zhuāng) | Chinese Grammar