文件

• Pinyin: wén jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 文 = pictograph meaning 'writing/pattern'; 件 = 亻 (person) + 牛 (ox) — an individual item or piece

Meaning

Document; file. A written or digital record containing official or important information.

Used for both physical paper documents and digital files. Common in office and computer contexts: 文件夹 (folder), 发送文件 (send a file), 签署文件 (sign a document).

Examples

1. 请把这份文件发给我。 Please send me this document.
2. 他的电脑里存了很多重要文件。 His computer has many important files stored on it.
3. 签这份文件之前，请先仔细看看。 Before signing this document, please read it carefully first.

Usage Guide

Context: office, digital, business

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这个文件需要你签字。(This document needs your signature.)
• 我找不到那个文件了。(I can't find that file.)

Don't Say

• 我写了一个文件。(For creative writing, use 文章 for an article or 作品 for a work. 文件 refers to official documents or digital files, not compositions.)

Origin & History

文 means 'writing' and 件 means 'item' or 'piece'. Together they refer to a written item — a document.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal