封筒
fūtō[ɸɯ̟ːto̞ː]
The English word "envelope" is translated into Japanese as 封筒 (fūtō).
封筒 is the most common and generic term used for envelopes in Japan.
Meaning: wrapper for mailing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 封筒 is composed of the kanji 封, meaning seal or enclose and 筒, meaning tube, cylinder or container.
Which one should you use?
While 封筒 is the general term for envelopes, the specific term ぽち袋 refers to small envelopes used specifically for monetary gifts or donations.
How do you pronounce it?
fūtō
When do people say it?
When addressing envelopes for business or formal occasions, it is customary to write the recipient's address vertically on the front side. In formal contexts, you might say, お世話になった方へのお礼の手紙を封筒に入れて送ります。 (I will send a thank-you letter to the person who has taken care of me in an envelope).
Did you know?
- For very formal money envelopes, the type of knot used on the decorative cord, known as 水引 (mizuhiki), tells the recipient if the gift is for a repeatable event or a one-time event like a wedding.
- In Japanese, the verb 封じる (fūjiru), which shares a root with 封筒, can be used to describe 'silencing' a person or 'locking away' an emotion.
- While 封筒 is a generic term, many Japanese people use the loanword エンベロープ (enberōpu) in specific technical contexts, such as computer science or data transmission.
Examples in context
- 封筒がいる。I need an envelope.Tatoeba #1278062 by bunbuku, translation #319648 by CK
- 封筒をください。Please give me an envelope.Tatoeba #84069 by bunbuku, translation #1892791 by CK
- 封筒を開けました。I opened the envelope.Tatoeba #11126881 by small_snow, translation #10547943 by AlanF_US
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori is asking Hiroto for help with a letter.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、封筒はどこにある？Hiroto, futō wa doko ni aru?Hiroto, where are the envelopes?
- 大翔 Hiroto机の引き出しの中だよ。Tsukue no hikidashi no naka dayo.They are in the desk drawer.
- 陽葵 Himari白い封筒が見当たらないな。Shiroi futō ga miataranai na.I can't find a white envelope.
- 大翔 Hirotoあっちにあるよ。Atchi ni aru yo.They are over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “envelope” translations and entries 封筒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
