邮箱

• Pinyin: yóu xiāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 邮 = 由 (from) + 阝(邑) (city), meaning postal; 箱 = 竹 (bamboo) + 相 (mutual), meaning box or case

Meaning

Mailbox; email address; email inbox. Refers to either a physical mailbox or an email account.

In modern usage, 邮箱 most commonly refers to an email address or email account (电子邮箱). Can also refer to a physical mailbox for receiving postal mail. Often used when asking for someone's email address.

Examples

1. 你的邮箱地址是什么？ What is your email address?
2. 我把文件发到你邮箱了。 I sent the file to your email.
3. 请检查一下你的邮箱。 Please check your email inbox.

Usage Guide

Context: communication, work, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 请把你的邮箱告诉我。(Please give me your email address.)
• 资料已经发到你的邮箱了。(The documents have been sent to your email.)

Don't Say

• 我的邮箱坏了，收不到快递。(Don't confuse 邮箱 with a parcel locker — for delivery boxes, use 快递柜)

Origin & History

邮 (post, mail) + 箱 (box, case). Literally a box for mail, extended to mean email inbox.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal