袖珍 (xiùzhēn): pocket-sized; miniature; compact

Meanings

A treasure that fits in your sleeve — pocket-sized.

Zhè shì yī běn xiùzhēn cídiǎn.

This is a pocket dictionary.

Tā dài le yī gè xiùzhēn xiàngjī.

She brought a pocket camera.

Zhè jiā xiùzhēn bówùguǎn hěn yǒu tèsè.

This miniature museum is very unique.

history

In ancient China, people stored precious small items in their wide sleeves (袖). A 袖珍 item is small enough to fit in a sleeve — pocket-sized!

袖 xiù

珍 zhēn