Usage note
封是用于装信件或文件的纸袋。
fēng shì yòng yú zhuāng xìn jiàn huò wén jiàn de zhǐ dāi.
封 is used for enclosing letters or documents in a paper bag.
Context note
封常出现在写信、寄快递或送文件的情境中。
fēng cháng chū xiàn xiě xìn、jì kuài dì huò sòng wén jiàn de qíng jìng zhōng.
封 often appears in contexts such as writing letters, sending parcels, or delivering documents.
5 examples
我今天要寄信，需要一个封。
wǒ jīn tiān yào jì xìn， xū yào yí gè fēng。
I need an envelope to send a letter today.
妈妈给我封了礼物。
mā ma gěi wǒ fēng le lǐ wù。
Mom wrapped the gift in an envelope.
这个文件很重要，我要用封保护它。
zhè ge wén jiàn hěn zhòng yào， wǒ yào yòng fēng bǎo hù tā。
This document is very important, I need to put it in an envelope for protection.
请在封上写清楚收件人的地址。
qǐng zài fēng shàng xiě qīng chǔ shōu jiàn rén de dì zhǐ。
Please write the recipient's address clearly on the envelope.
快递员把包裹放进封里。
kuài dì yuán bǎ bāo guǒ fàng jìn fēng lǐ。
The courier put the package in an envelope.
5 mini stories
小明今天要寄信给他的朋友，他先买了一个封，然后写好地址和内容。
xiǎo míng jīn tiān yào jì xìn gěi tā de péng yǒu， tā xiān mǎi le yí gè fēng， rán hòu xiě hǎo dì zhǐ hé nèi róng。
Xiaoming needs to send a letter to his friend today, so he first bought an envelope, then wrote the address and content.
妈妈教小红如何正确地封信件，她告诉小红要写清楚收件人的地址。
mā ma jiào xiǎo hóng rú hé zhèng què dì fēng xìn jiàn， tā gào sù xiǎo hóng yào xiě qīng chǔ shōu jiàn rén de dì zhǐ。
Mom taught Xiaohong how to properly seal a letter, she told Xiaohong to write the recipient's address clearly.
爸爸把重要的文件放进封里，然后交给快递员。
bà ba bǎ zhòng yào de wén jiàn fàng jìn fēng lǐ， rán hòu jiāo gěi kuài dì yuán。
Dad put an important document in an envelope and handed it over to the courier.
小华不小心把信件掉在地上了，他赶紧找了一个封来重新装好。
xiǎo huá bù xiǎo xīn bǎ xìn jiàn diào zài dì shàng le， tā gǎn jǐn zhǎo le yí gè fēng lái chóng xīn zhuāng hǎo。
Xiaohua accidentally dropped a letter on the ground, he quickly found an envelope to re-seal it.
老师教大家如何正确地使用封，强调要写清楚收件人的信息。
lǎo shī jiào dà jiā rú hé zhèng què dì shǐ yòng fēng， qiáng diào yào xiě qīng chǔ shōu jiàn rén de xìn xī。
The teacher taught everyone how to properly use envelopes, emphasizing the need to write clear recipient information.
Mini dialogue
一封信
A
桌子上有一封信，是给你的。
Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yī fēng xìn, shì gěi nǐ de.
There is a letter on the table, it's for you.
B
谢谢！我好久没收到信了。
Xièxie! Wǒ hǎojiǔ méi shōudào xìn le.
Thank you! I haven't received a letter in a long time.
寄信
A
你能帮我把这封信放进邮筒吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ zhè fēng xìn fàng jìn yóutǒng ma?
Can you help me put this letter into the mailbox?
B
没问题，我正好要出去。
Méi wèntí, wǒ zhènghǎo yào chūqù.
No problem, I'm just about to go out.
Related words and contrasts
related
信
xìn
letter
封 is the envelope; 信 is the letter inside. Often used together: 一封信 (one letter).
similar
信封
xìn fēng
envelope
信封 is the full word for envelope. 封 can be a short form or a measure word for letters.