封筒 — meaning in English: envelope

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

Guess the translation for envelope

カーボン

kābon

同情

dōjō

入り口

iriguchi

封筒

fūtō

バー

baa

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Japanese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native Japanese speakers commonly use the word 封筒 (fūtō) when mailing letters, sending invitations, or packaging documents. You'll often hear it in offices when discussing mailing supplies or during events where formal invitations are required, such as weddings or business meetings.

Synonyms & nuances

While 封筒 (fūtō) specifically refers to an envelope, the term 手紙 (tegami) means 'letter' and refers to the content inside. You would use 封筒 when discussing the physical envelope, but if you're talking about writing a letter, you would likely use 手紙 instead.

Culture

The term 封筒 (fūtō) is a compound word that combines the characters 封 (fū), meaning 'seal,' and 筒 (tō), meaning 'tube' or 'cylinder.' This reflects the traditional use of envelopes to securely seal important messages. In Japan, the art of gifting, including the thoughtful presentation of letters in beautiful envelopes, is a cultural norm that enhances the receiver's experience.

FAQ

Q.What is the origin of the word 封筒?

The word 封筒 derives from the characters 封, meaning 'seal,' and 筒, meaning 'tube,' which describes the purpose and shape of an envelope used for mailing.

Q.How do you use 封筒 in a sentence?

You can use 封筒 in a sentence like: '手紙を封筒に入れました' (Tegami o fūtō ni iremashita) which means 'I put the letter in the envelope.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 封筒?

A common mistake is confusing 封筒 (fūtō) with 手紙 (tegami). Remember that 封筒 refers to the envelope itself, while 手紙 is the letter inside. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion.

Learn japanese with Maspeak →

Japanese 2000