快件 (kuài jiàn) — express mail item, courier package

Definition

快件 refers to an express/courier package — mail sent via a fast delivery service. In everyday speech, 包裹 is the more common general word for 'parcel'; 快件 specifically emphasizes the express shipping service used.

noun
express mail itemcourier package
Measure word · 件

Examples

  • 快件。
    Wǒ zuó tiān shōu dào yí gè kuài jiàn.
    I received an express package yesterday.
  • 快件。
    Qǐng bǎ zhè ge kuài jiàn jì dào běi jīng.
    Please send this express package to Beijing.
  • 快件？
    Nǐ kě yǐ bāng wǒ chá yí xià zhè ge kuài jiàn ma?
    Can you help me track this express package?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

快kuàifast
件jiànitem

A fast item is an express mail or courier package.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
夬
夬guài快kuài
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

快 pairs the left part 忄 (full form 心, the heart) with the right part 夬, which gives the sound.

Open 快 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

件 is made of 人, 'man', and 牛, 'cow'.

Open 件 →

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