fùjiàn: 附件 - Attachment, Enclosure, Accessory

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• Summary: The Chinese word 附件 (fùjiàn) is a fundamental term in modern communication, primarily meaning “attachment” or “enclosure,” most commonly used for emails. It also extends to mean “appendix” in documents and “accessory” for products. This page will break down its characters, explore its practical uses in business and daily life, and clarify its meaning against similar words like `配件 (pèijiàn)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fù jiàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: An item attached to something else, such as a file in an email, an appendix to a document, or an accessory for a device.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 附件 (fùjiàn) as the direct equivalent of “attachment” in English. Its most frequent use is for digital files you add to an email. However, its meaning is slightly broader, covering anything that is “attached” or “added on” to a main item, whether it's a contract, a report, or a physical product.

• 附 (fù): This character means “to attach” or “to be near.” It's composed of 阝(a radical often related to places or mounds) and 付 (fù, meaning “to hand over”). You can think of it as “handing something over” (付) to be “placed next to” (阝) something else.
• 件 (jiàn): This character is a common measure word for items, documents, clothing, and affairs. It essentially means “an item” or “a piece.”

When you combine them, 附件 (fùjiàn) literally means “an attached item,” which perfectly captures its meaning as an attachment, appendix, or accessory.

While 附件 (fùjiàn) isn't a deeply philosophical term, its widespread use is highly significant in understanding modern Chinese professional and bureaucratic culture. The concept is nearly identical to the Western use of “attachment” or “appendix,” highlighting the global standardization of digital and office communication. In China, sending a formal email with a 附件 is standard practice in business, government, and academia. The clarity and formality of mentioning the 附件 (e.g., “详情请见附件” - “Please see the attachment for details”) reflects a professional culture that values precision and clear documentation. Unlike a culturally-loaded term like `关系 (guānxi)`, 附件 is straightforward. The cultural significance lies not in its unique meaning, but in its role as a key piece of vocabulary for navigating the processes of modern Chinese life. Failing to understand this word can be a major block to effective communication in any formal setting.

附件 (fùjiàn) is a high-frequency word used in both spoken and written Chinese, almost always in a neutral or formal context.

This is the most common context. It's used to refer to files sent with an email.

• “我把报告放在附件里了。” (Wǒ bǎ bàogào fàng zài fùjiàn lǐ le.) - “I put the report in the attachment.”
• “请查收附件。” (Qǐng cháshōu fùjiàn.) - “Please check and receive the attachment.” (A very common, polite phrase)

Here, it translates to “appendix” or “exhibit.”

• “合同的附件三是保密协议。” (Hétong de fùjiàn sān shì bǎomì xiéyì.) - “Attachment three of the contract is the non-disclosure agreement.”

In this context, it means “accessory” or “add-on.” It refers to items that come with a main product but are not essential for its basic operation.

• “这个相机有很多附件，比如镜头盖和背带。” (Zhège xiàngjī yǒu hěnduō fùjiàn, bǐrú jìngtóu gài hé bēidài.) - “This camera has many accessories, for example a lens cap and a strap.”

• Example 1:
• 我已将会议纪要作为附件发送给您。
• Pinyin: Wǒ yǐ jiāng huìyì jìyào zuòwéi fùjiàn fāsòng gěi nín.
• English: I have sent you the meeting minutes as an attachment.
• Analysis: This is a very common and formal sentence used in a business context. `作为 (zuòwéi)` means “as.”
• Example 2:
• 你昨天发的邮件附件打不开。
• Pinyin: Nǐ zuótiān fā de yóujiàn fùjiàn dǎbukāi.
• English: I can't open the attachment in the email you sent yesterday.
• Analysis: `打不开 (dǎbukāi)` is a potential complement meaning “cannot open.” This is a practical sentence for troubleshooting.
• Example 3:
• 请注意，附件的大小不能超过20MB。
• Pinyin: Qǐng zhùyì, fùjiàn de dàxiǎo bùnéng chāoguò èrshí MB.
• English: Please note that the size of the attachment cannot exceed 20MB.
• Analysis: A standard instruction you might see on a website or in application guidelines. `大小 (dàxiǎo)` literally “big-small” means “size.”
• Example 4:
• 所有需要的文件都在这个压缩包附件里。
• Pinyin: Suǒyǒu xūyào de wénjiàn dōu zài zhège yāsuōbāo fùjiàn lǐ.
• English: All the required files are in this compressed (zip) file attachment.
• Analysis: This shows how 附件 can be combined with other nouns. `压缩包 (yāsuōbāo)` means “compressed package” (e.g., .zip, .rar).
• Example 5:
• 别忘了在邮件里添加附件！
• Pinyin: Bié wàngle zài yóujiàn lǐ tiānjiā fùjiàn!
• English: Don't forget to add the attachment to the email!
• Analysis: `添加 (tiānjiā)` means “to add.” This is a friendly reminder you might say to a colleague.
• Example 6:
• 购买手机时，充电器和耳机是标准附件。
• Pinyin: Gòumǎi shǒujī shí, chōngdiànqì hé ěrjī shì biāozhǔn fùjiàn.
• English: When purchasing a mobile phone, the charger and earphones are standard accessories.
• Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 附件 for physical products. Note: In this context, `配件 (pèijiàn)` could also be used. See “Nuances” section below.
• Example 7:
• 我们的产品目录和价目表详见附件。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen de chǎnpǐn mùlù hé jiàmùbiǎo xiángjiàn fùjiàn.
• English: For our product catalog and price list, please see the attachment for details.
• Analysis: `详见 (xiángjiàn)` is a formal way to say “see for details,” often used in writing.
• Example 8:
• 这份报告有好几个附件，包括图表和原始数据。
• Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào yǒu hǎo jǐ ge fùjiàn, bāokuò túbiǎo hé yuánshǐ shùjù.
• English: This report has several appendices, including charts and raw data.
• Analysis: Shows the plural usage. `好几个 (hǎo jǐ ge)` is a colloquial way of saying “several” or “quite a few.”
• Example 9:
• 申请人必须提交申请表及其所有附件。
• Pinyin: Shēnqǐngrén bìxū tíjiāo shēnqǐngbiǎo jí qí suǒyǒu fùjiàn.
• English: The applicant must submit the application form and all its attachments.
• Analysis: A very formal sentence, typical of official instructions. `及 (jí)` is a formal word for “and.”
• Example 10:
• 我下载了附件，但好像文件已损坏。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xiàzài le fùjiàn, dàn hǎoxiàng wénjiàn yǐ sǔnhuài.
• English: I downloaded the attachment, but it seems the file is corrupted.
• Analysis: `下载 (xiàzài)` means “to download,” and `损坏 (sǔnhuài)` means “damaged” or “corrupted.”

The biggest point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 附件 (fùjiàn) from similar words like `配件 (pèijiàn)` and `零件 (língjiàn)`.

• 附件 (fùjiàn) - Accessory / Add-on:
  • This is something that adds extra functionality or convenience but is not essential for the main item to work. It's an “add-on.”
  • Example: A camera's shoulder strap, a special software plugin, a document appendix.
• 配件 (pèijiàn) - Fittings / Standard Accessories:
  • This often refers to essential parts needed for assembly or standard items that come included with a product. There is an overlap with `附件`, but `配件` implies it's part of the standard package.
  • Example: The charger and cable that come with your new phone are its `配件`. A fancy, optional wireless charger you buy separately would be more like a `附件`.
• 零件 (língjiàn) - Component / Spare Part:
  • This is a fundamental component inside a machine. Without it, the machine is broken.
  • Example: A screw in your laptop, the engine of a car, a gear in a watch.

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: 我的车需要一个新的附件，是发动机里的一个东西。(Wǒ de chē xūyào yí gè xīn de fùjiàn, shì fādòngjī lǐ de yí ge dōngxi.) - “My car needs a new accessory, it's a thing inside the engine.”
• Reason: An engine part is an essential component, not an optional add-on.
• Correct: 我的车需要一个新的零件。(Wǒ de chē xūyào yí gè xīn de língjiàn.) - “My car needs a new spare part.”

• 配件 (pèijiàn) - A close term meaning “accessories” or “fittings,” often referring to standard-issue items.
• 零件 (língjiàn) - “Spare parts” or “components”; essential internal parts of a machine.
• 邮件 (yóujiàn) - “Mail” or “email”; the most common medium for sending a `附件`.
• 文件 (wénjiàn) - “Document” or “file”; the item that is often sent as a `附件`.
• 下载 (xiàzài) - “To download”; the action you perform to save a `附件` to your computer.
• 上传 (shàngchuán) - “To upload”; the action you perform to add a `附件` to an email or website.
• 报告 (bàogào) - “Report”; a common type of document sent as a `附件`.
• 合同 (hétong) - “Contract”; a formal document that frequently includes appendices, also called `附件`.
• 查收 (cháshōu) - “To check and receive”; a polite, formal verb often used in emails asking the recipient to acknowledge the `附件`.