回函 (huí hán) — a written reply, a reply letter

Definition

回函 is a formal, written 'reply letter' — more official in tone than 回复 (huífù), which covers any response (including by phone or email).

verb
a written replya reply letter

Examples

  • 回函。
    Qǐng jǐn kuài gěi wǒ yì fēng huí hán.
    Please give me a reply letter as soon as possible.
  • 回函。
    Wǒ men shōu dào le kè hù de huí hán.
    We received the customer's reply letter.
  • 回函。
    Jīn tiān yào xiě yì fēng zhèng shì de huí hán.
    Today we need to write a formal reply letter.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

回huíreply
函hánletter

“回” (reply) and “函” (letter) combine: to answer a letter.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

回 comes from a drawing of a spiral, showing something turning around.

Open 回 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

函 comes from an old drawing of an upside-down arrow stored inside a box with one or two handles.

Open 函 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.