Chinese word

信件

Pronunciation

Pinyinxìn jiàn

Meaning

  • nounletter

Example

信件已经到了，你可以去邮局取。xìn jiàn yǐ jīng dào le nǐ ké yǐ qù yóu jú qǔ

The letter has arrived. You can go pick it up at the post office.

Illustration for 信件 (letter)

More examples

快递员把信件投递到了门口，没有按门铃。kuài dì yuán bǎ xìn jiàn tóu dì dào le mén kǒu méi yǒu àn mén líng

The courier delivered the letter to the door without ringing the doorbell.

Core concept

A written message treated as a distinct item moving from a sender to its recipient.

Common phrases

  • 投递信件tóu dì xìn jiàn

    deliver a letter

  • 签收信件qiān shōu xìn jiàn

    sign for a letter

  • 转发信件zhuǎn fā xìn jiàn

    forward a letter

Similar words

邮件yóu jiàn: Written documents or digital data sent or received through mail or electronic channels.
信xìn: A letter or personal note written and sent to someone.
信函xìn hán: A formal written letter used for official or business purposes.
公文gōng wén: A government or public agency document issued as an official notice or order.

Definition in Chinese

寄递或交付给收件人的一份书面材料，一般指作为邮政、快递或官方通知发送的信函或函件。jì dì huò jiāo fù gěi shōu jiàn rén de yí fèn shū miàn cái liào yì bān zhǐ zuò wéi yóu zhèng kuài dì huò guān fāng tōng zhī fā sòng de xìn hán huò hán jiàn

Word origin

信件 (xìnjiàn, "letter") combines 信 (xìn, "message") with 件 (jiàn, "item"), framing written communication as one identifiable item for delivery.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may link "letter" mainly with personal writing, but this noun also covers formal notices and other documents sent through postal or courier channels.

Other meanings

  • mailnoun
  • correspondencenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word