封 (fēng) — (classifier) for letters, telegrams, and other sealed messages or documents; (verb) to seal, to close up (an envelope, a container)
Definition
封 (fēng) is used as the classifier for sealed items like letters and telegrams (一封信). It also means 'to seal/close' an envelope or container — a concrete action distinct from the formal 'to confer a title' sense.
classifier
for letters, telegrams, and other sealed messages or documents
verb
to sealto close up (an envelope, a container)
Examples
- 。Tā shōu dào le yì fēng xìn.He received a letter.
- 。Zhè fēng xìn shì gěi mā ma de.This letter is for mom.
- 封。Qǐng fēng hǎo zhè ge hé zi.Please seal this box well.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
The shape 封 is 丰 plus 土 (earth) plus 寸 (hand); 丰 was originally drawn as a tree seedling.
Appears in
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