envelope in Mandarin Chinese: 信封

xìnfēng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for envelope

信封

xìnfēng

船

chuán

整合

zhěnghé

锅

guō

议程

yìchéng

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 信封 (xìnfēng) when discussing sending letters or packages, whether in personal or business correspondence. For instance, you might hear it in a post office context when someone is preparing to mail a letter, or during a school project where students are instructed to send invitations in envelopes.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 信封 is 包装 (bāozhuāng), which means 'package' or 'wrapping.' While 信封 specifically refers to envelopes used for letters, 包装 can refer to any type of packaging, making it broader in scope. Use 信封 when you want to emphasize the concept of sending a written message.

Culture

The word 信封 (xìnfēng) combines two characters: 信, meaning 'letter' or 'trust,' and 封, which means 'to seal.' This reflects the importance of communication and trust in Chinese culture, particularly in formal settings where written correspondence plays a key role. Interestingly, envelopes in China can also vary in design and color, with red envelopes being particularly popular for gifting money during celebrations like the Lunar New Year.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 信封?

The pronunciation of 信封 in Mandarin Chinese is xìnfēng. You can practice by breaking it down into two syllables: 'xin' with a falling tone and 'feng' with a flat tone.

Q.How do you use 信封 in a sentence?

You can use 信封 in sentences like '我需要一个信封来寄信' (Wǒ xūyào yīgè xìnfēng lái jì xìn), which means 'I need an envelope to send a letter.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes with using 信封?

A common mistake is using 信封 when referring to packages or parcels instead of letters. Remember that 信封 specifically means 'envelope,' so if you are talking about larger items or packages, you would use a different term like 包裹 (bāoguǒ).

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