Definition
函 (hán) refers to a formal letter or official correspondence—much more formal than the everyday word 信 (xìn). It can also mean "envelope," but today 信封 (xìn fēng) is the ordinary word for that. Use 函 in business, government, or academic writing.
noun
envelope(formal) lettercorrespondence
Easily confused
- 喊hǎnsound-aliketo shout; to yell; to call out (to someone)
- 汗hànsound-alikesweat, perspiration
- 含hánsound-aliketo keep in the mouth
Examples
- 函。Qǐng jiāng zhè fèn hánjiàn guīdàng.Please file this correspondence.
- 函。Wǒ shōudào le yì fēng lái hán.I received an incoming letter.
- 函。Zhè fēng hánjiàn xūyào jiā gài gōngzhāng.This correspondence needs to be stamped with an official seal.
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