fùjiàn: 附件 - Attachment, Accessory, Appendix

fùjiàn: 附件 - Attachment, Accessory, Appendix

Quick Summary

Keywords: fujian, 附件, Chinese for attachment, email attachment in Chinese, appendix in Chinese, accessory, fùjiàn meaning, how to say attachment in Mandarin, Chinese business vocabulary, HSK 5
Summary: The Chinese word 附件 (fùjiàn) is the direct equivalent of “attachment” or “accessory.” Primarily used in a digital context for email attachments, its meaning extends to physical accessories for devices and appendices for documents. Understanding fùjiàn is essential for navigating modern communication, business, and technology in China, from sending a simple file to understanding a formal contract.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): fù jiàn
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: A file, document, or object attached to something else.
In a Nutshell: Think of 附件 (fùjiàn) as the standard, functional term for anything that is “attached” to a main item. Its most frequent use by far is for email attachments. However, it's a versatile word that also applies to the physical world, like an appendix added to a report or a new lens for your camera. It's a neutral, practical word with no emotional connotation.

Character Breakdown

附 (fù): This character means “to attach,” “to add,” or “to be near.” It's composed of 阝 (a radical often related to location or place) and 付 (fù - to hand over). You can picture it as “handing something over to be placed near” something else.
件 (jiàn): This character means “item,” “piece,” or “document.” It is also a very common measure word for things like clothing (一件衣服 - a piece of clothing) and matters (一件事 - one matter).
Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “attached item” (附 + 件), which perfectly forms the modern meaning of “attachment” or “appendix.”

Cultural Context and Significance

While 附件 (fùjiàn) doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like terms such as `关系 (guānxi)`, its importance is rooted in China's rapid modernization and digitalization. It is a cornerstone of modern business and academic communication. Being able to discuss attachments is a fundamental skill for functioning in a contemporary Chinese environment.
Contrast with English “Attachment”: A key difference for learners is that 附件 (fùjiàn) is almost exclusively functional and non-emotional. In English, we can say “I have a strong emotional attachment to my childhood home.” Using 附件 in this context would be incorrect and sound strange, as if your home has a USB drive attached to it. The Chinese equivalent for emotional attachment would be a word like `依恋 (yīliàn)` or `情结 (qíngjié)`. 附件 is strictly for physical or digital add-ons.

Practical Usage in Modern China

附件 (fùjiàn) is a common, standard term used across various contexts, from informal emails to formal legal documents. It is neutral in connotation.

In the Digital World (Emails and Messaging)

This is the most common usage. When you send or receive an email with a file, that file is the 附件. This also applies to files sent via messaging apps like WeChat (微信 - Wēixìn).
Example phrases: “Please see the attachment,” “I'm sending the file as an attachment.”

In Business and Legal Contexts

In formal settings, an 附件 is an appendix, addendum, or exhibit attached to a main document like a contract, report, or proposal.
For example, a sales contract might have an 附件 detailing the specific product specifications or delivery terms.

For Physical Objects (Accessories)

附件 can refer to accessories or fittings for a larger piece of equipment. For example, a vacuum cleaner might come with several 附件 (brushes and nozzles), or a camera might have different lenses and flashes as 附件.
In this context, the word `配件 (pèijiàn)` is often more specific for machine parts or components.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 我把会议纪要放在附件里了，请查收。
- Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ huìyì jìyào fàng zài fùjiàn lǐ le, qǐng cháshōu.
- English: I've put the meeting minutes in the attachment, please check and receive it.
- Analysis: A very common and polite phrase used in business emails. `请查收 (qǐng cháshōu)` is a standard formal closing when you've sent something.
Example 2:
- 糟糕，我忘了添加附件！
- Pinyin: Zāogāo, wǒ wàng le tiānjiā fùjiàn!
- English: Oh no, I forgot to add the attachment!
- Analysis: A relatable and common mistake. `添加 (tiānjiā)` means “to add,” a verb often used with 附件.
Example 3:
- 这份合同有三个附件，都非常重要。
- Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong yǒu sān ge fùjiàn, dōu fēicháng zhòngyào.
- English: This contract has three appendices, all of which are very important.
- Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 附件 in a formal, legal context. Note the use of the general measure word `个 (ge)`.
Example 4:
- 这个附件太大了，邮件发送不出去。
- Pinyin: Zhège fùjiàn tài dà le, yóujiàn fāsòng bù chūqù.
- English: This attachment is too big, the email can't be sent.
- Analysis: Highlights a practical problem. `发送 (fāsòng)` is the verb “to send” an email.
Example 5:
- 你能把报告存为 PDF 格式再作为附件发给我吗？
- Pinyin: Nǐ néng bǎ bàogào cún wéi PDF géshì zài zuòwéi fùjiàn fā gěi wǒ ma?
- English: Could you save the report as a PDF and then send it to me as an attachment?
- Analysis: A useful and specific request. `作为 (zuòwéi)` means “as,” showing how the report should function as the attachment.
Example 6:
- 详情请参见附件中的产品目录。
- Pinyin: Xiángqíng qǐng cānjiàn fùjiàn zhōng de chǎnpǐn mùlù.
- English: For details, please refer to the product catalog in the attachment.
- Analysis: `详情 (xiángqíng)` means “details,” and `参见 (cānjiàn)` means “please refer to,” common in formal instructions.
Example 7:
- 这款相机配有多种附件，比如闪光灯和备用电池。
- Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xiàngjī pèi yǒu duōzhǒng fùjiàn, bǐrú shǎnguāngdēng hé bèiyòng diànchí.
- English: This model of camera comes with multiple accessories, such as a flash and a spare battery.
- Analysis: Shows the use of 附件 for physical accessories. `配有 (pèi yǒu)` means “is equipped with.”
Example 8:
- 邮件里有附件吗？我好像没看到。
- Pinyin: Yóujiàn lǐ yǒu fùjiàn ma? Wǒ hǎoxiàng méi kàndào.
- English: Is there an attachment in the email? I don't think I see one.
- Analysis: A simple, practical question when you can't find the expected attachment.
Example 9:
- 请确保你下载了所有的附件。
- Pinyin: Qǐng quèbǎo nǐ xiàzài le suǒyǒu de fùjiàn.
- English: Please ensure you have downloaded all the attachments.
- Analysis: Uses the key verbs `确保 (quèbǎo)` - to ensure, and `下载 (xiàzài)` - to download.
Example 10:
- 所有申请人必须提交申请表以及所需附件。
- Pinyin: Suǒyǒu shēnqǐngrén bìxū tíjiāo shēnqǐngbiǎo yǐjí suǒxū fùjiàn.
- English: All applicants must submit the application form and the required attachments.
- Analysis: An example from an administrative or official context. `所需 (suǒxū)` means “required.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

False Friend: Emotional “Attachment”
- The most common error for English speakers is to confuse 附件 (fùjiàn) with emotional attachment. They are not interchangeable.
- Incorrect: 我对我的狗有很深的附件。 (Wǒ duì wǒ de gǒu yǒu hěn shēn de fùjiàn.)
- Why it's wrong: This literally sounds like “I have a deep accessory/file-attachment for my dog.” It's nonsensical and slightly comical.
- Correct: 我对我的狗有很深的感情 (gǎnqíng)。 (I have deep feelings/affection for my dog.) or 我非常依恋 (yīliàn)我的狗。 (I am very attached to my dog.)
附件 vs. 配件 (pèijiàn)
- While 附件 can be used for physical accessories, `配件 (pèijiàn)` is often more specific for machine parts, components, or fittings that are essential for or designed for that machine (e.g., spare parts for a car, components for a computer). 附件 is a bit more general, like an add-on that might not be a core component. For a phone, the charger is a 配件, while a decorative phone charm could be seen as an 附件. In many cases, they are interchangeable.

Related Terms and Concepts

文件 (wénjiàn) - Document, file. This is often the thing that *is* the 附件.
附上 (fùshàng) - To attach (verb). The action of adding an 附件. Example: 我附上了我的简历 (Wǒ fùshàng le wǒ de jiǎnlì) - “I have attached my resume.”
下载 (xiàzài) - To download. The action the recipient performs on an 附件.
上传 (shàngchuán) - To upload. The action of putting a file onto a server, often before attaching it.
发送 (fāsòng) - To send (email, message). The verb used to send the email containing the 附件.
配件 (pèijiàn) - Accessories, parts, fittings. A more specific term for physical components of a machine or device.
合同 (hétong) - Contract. A type of document that frequently has one or more 附件.
资料 (zīliào) - Materials, data, information. A broader term for the content that might be in a 附件.

Table of Contents

fùjiàn: 附件 - Attachment, Accessory, Appendix

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

In the Digital World (Emails and Messaging)

In Business and Legal Contexts

For Physical Objects (Accessories)

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts