How to Say "Envelope" in Korean

봉투

bongtu[po̞ŋtʰu]

The English phrase "envelope" is 봉투 (bongtu) in Korean.

봉투 refers to a wrapper used for mailing purposes.

Meaning: wrapper for mailing (noun)

Which one should you use?

편지봉투 is a common and polite way to say 'envelope' in Korean.

bongtu

While 봉투 is used for mailing, you will also hear the word 봉투 used in restaurants to refer to the small plastic or paper bags used for takeout.
In Korea, if you are handing someone a 봉투 containing money, such as for a wedding or funeral, it is customary to use both hands to present it as a sign of respect.
The word 봉투 is composed of Hanja, which are Chinese characters used in Korean. The character 封 means 'to seal' and 套 means 'a cover' or 'case'.

톰이 나한테 봉투를 내 생일 때까지 열지 말래.
Tom told me to not open the envelope up till it was my birthday.
The sentence is useful for showing how to use 봉투 in a request regarding not opening something.
Tatoeba #3677091 by JangSungHyuk, translation #3953986 by KoreanBeaver
봉투 필요하세요?
Do you need an envelope?
The sentence is useful for asking if someone needs an 봉투.
Tatoeba #942427 by Sudajaengi, translation #1037336 by Brian255
안녕하세요, 저기요. 편지봉투 하나 주세요.
Hello, excuse me. Can I have one envelope, please?
친구야, 봉투 좀 주라.
Hey, friend, give me an envelope.
이 자료는 봉투 안에 있습니다.
This document is inside the envelope.
편지를 쓸 때 편지봉투를 사용해야 해.
When writing a letter, you need to use an envelope.
편지를 봉투에 넣으세요.
pyeon-ji-reul bong-tu-e neo-eu-se-yo.
Please put the letter in the envelope.

Jieun and Hyunwoo are at an office preparing mailing materials.

지은 Ji-eun

현우 씨, 혹시 큰 봉투 있어요?
Hyeon-u ssi, hok-si keun bong-tu is-seo-yo?
Hyunwoo, do you happen to have a large envelope?
현우 Hyeon-woo

네, 여기 있어요.
Ne, yeo-gi is-seo-yo.
Yes, here it is.
지은 Ji-eun

감사합니다. 바로 넣을게요.
Gam-sa-ham-ni-da. Ba-ro neo-eul-ge-yo.
Thank you. I will put it in right away.
현우 Hyeon-woo

천천히 하세요.
Cheon-cheon-hi ha-se-yo.
Take your time.

Sources

Wiktionary, “envelope” translations and entries 봉투, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries 봉투, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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