函 (hán) - letter & correspondence

函Tone 2

hán ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 凵

枫惠

函 · hán

letter;

correspondence;

case;

box;

to contain;

function (mathematics)

lettercorrespondencecase

Usage highlights

letterofficial documentmathematical functionmailboxcorrespondence courseenvelope

Synonyms

  • 信— letter
  • 书— document, book
  • 匣— box, case

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I received a letter (函件) from the university.
  • This is a function (函数) in mathematics.
  • The museum displays ancient bronze cases (函盒).
  • Please send the official document (公函).

Collocations

  • letter(函件)
  • official document(公函)
  • mathematical function(函数)
  • mailbox(信箱)
  • correspondence course(函授)
  • envelope(函套)

Idioms

  • Correspondence education(函授教育)
  • Letter of appointment(聘函)
  • Function relation(函数关系)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a quiver for arrows, later extended to mean case or box for holding documents.
  • Used in mathematical context to translate 'function' from Western mathematics in early 20th century.
  • Traditionally used for formal and official correspondence in Chinese bureaucracy.

FAQ