信箱
When you're learning Chinese, you'll find that many words are quite literal. Take 信箱 (xìnxiāng) for example. It's a combination of 信 (xìn), which means 'letter' or 'mail,' and 箱 (xiāng), meaning 'box' or 'case.' So, put them together, and you get 'letter box' or 'mailbox.' This word is commonly used for physical mailboxes where letters are delivered. It's a straightforward term that you'll hear and see often in daily life when talking about sending or receiving mail. Remember that the characters themselves often give you a clue about the word's meaning!
When talking about 信箱 (xìnxiāng), it's important to understand its primary meaning: a physical mailbox where you receive letters. Think of the one outside your house. However, it can also refer to a post office box or even an email inbox, especially in more modern contexts. So, while its core is about receiving mail, the specific usage depends on whether you're talking about traditional post or digital communication. You might hear people say '查信箱' (chá xìnxiāng) to mean 'check the mailbox' for physical letters, or in a contemporary setting, '我的電子信箱' (wǒ de diànzǐ xìnxiāng) for 'my email inbox'.
When discussing traditional mail services, 信箱 (xìnxiāng) refers to a physical box where letters and parcels are delivered or posted. It's the equivalent of a 'mailbox' or 'letterbox' in English.
However, with the advent of the digital age, 信箱 (xìnxiāng) has also seamlessly transitioned to mean 'email inbox' or 'email account'. This dual meaning makes it a versatile word.
Context is key to understanding whether someone is referring to a physical mailbox or an electronic one. For instance, if someone asks for your 信箱地址 (xìnxiāng dìzhǐ), they could be asking for either your postal address or your email address, depending on the conversation's topic.
It's fascinating how a single term can encompass both the antiquated and the ultra-modern aspects of communication!
§ How to Use 信箱 in a Sentence
Alright, let's get practical with 信箱 (xìnxiāng). This word is a straightforward noun, meaning 'mailbox' or 'letterbox'. You'll use it just like you would its English equivalent. No complicated grammar tricks here, which is good news for you.
The most common way to use 信箱 is to refer to a physical mailbox where you receive letters. Think of the box outside your house or apartment building.
请检查你的信箱，看看有没有新邮件。
- Translation Hint
- Please check your mailbox to see if there's any new mail.
Here, 信箱 is the direct object of the verb 检查 (jiǎnchá), meaning 'to check'. Simple, right?
§ Common Verbs with 信箱
You'll often pair 信箱 with verbs that indicate interaction with a mailbox. Here are a few common ones:
检查 (jiǎnchá) - to check: As in the example above, you check your mailbox.
我每天早上都会检查我的信箱。
- Translation Hint
- I check my mailbox every morning.
打开 (dǎkāi) - to open: When you want to retrieve mail, you open the mailbox.
他用钥匙打开了信箱。
- Translation Hint
- He opened the mailbox with a key.
投 (tóu) - to drop/throw (into): If you're mailing something, you 'drop' it into the mailbox.
请把信投入信箱。
- Translation Hint
- Please drop the letter into the mailbox.
§ Prepositions and Location with 信箱
You'll also use prepositions to describe the location of the mailbox or objects in relation to it. Standard spatial prepositions work well here.
在...旁边 (zài... pángbiān) - next to:
我的信箱在门口旁边。
- Translation Hint
- My mailbox is next to the door.
在...里面 (zài... lǐmiàn) - inside:
包裹在信箱里面。
- Translation Hint
- The package is inside the mailbox.
§ Describing Your Mailbox
You can also use adjectives to describe your mailbox. Easy peasy.
旧的信箱 (jiù de xìnxiāng) - old mailbox
新的信箱 (xīn de xìnxiāng) - new mailbox
红色信箱 (hóngsè xìnxiāng) - red mailbox
The structure is usually 'adjective + 的 + 信箱' or 'color + 信箱'.
我家有一个旧的信箱。
- Translation Hint
- My house has an old mailbox.
So there you have it. 信箱 is a fundamental word for talking about mail. Use these sentence structures and verbs, and you'll be well on your way to discussing your daily mail routine in Chinese.
§ 信箱 (xìn xiāng) vs. 邮箱 (yóu xiāng)
Both 信箱 (xìn xiāng) and 邮箱 (yóu xiāng) can mean 'mailbox' or 'postbox' in Chinese. However, there's a key difference in how they are commonly used today, especially with the rise of digital communication.
信箱 (xìn xiāng) generally refers to a physical mailbox, the kind you'd find outside a house or apartment building where physical letters and packages are delivered. Think of a literal box for letters.
- DEFINITION
- Physical mailbox/letterbox
我每天都会检查我的信箱，看有没有信件。
I check my mailbox every day to see if there are any letters.
请把信件投到门口的信箱里。
Please put the letter in the mailbox by the door.
邮箱 (yóu xiāng), on the other hand, is a broader term. While it can also refer to a physical postbox (like a public postbox on the street where you drop outgoing mail), it's overwhelmingly used to refer to an *email inbox* or *email account* in modern Chinese. This is a very important distinction in contemporary usage.
- DEFINITION
- Postbox (physical); Email inbox/account (digital)
请把文件发到我的邮箱。
Please send the document to my email inbox.
你的邮箱地址是什么？
What is your email address?
Here's a quick summary of when to use each:
- Use 信箱 (xìn xiāng) for: Physical mailboxes at a home or building.
- Use 邮箱 (yóu xiāng) for: Email inboxes/accounts; also for public street postboxes (though less common in daily conversation than for email).
§ 其他相关词 (qí tā xiāng guān cí) - Other Related Words
While 信箱 and 邮箱 are the most common, here are a couple of other related terms you might encounter:
- 邮筒 (yóu tǒng): This specifically refers to a public postbox or pillar box, typically found on the street, where you drop outgoing mail. It's almost exclusively for sending mail, not receiving it at your home.
- DEFINITION
- Public postbox / pillar box
我把信投进了街边的邮筒。
I put the letter into the postbox on the street.
- 收件箱 (shōu jiàn xiāng): This term means 'inbox' and is specifically used in the context of email or messaging applications. It means the folder where you receive messages.
- DEFINITION
- Inbox (for email/messages)
我的收件箱里有很多未读邮件。
I have many unread emails in my inbox.
In summary, stick to 信箱 for your home's physical letterbox and 邮箱 for email. Knowing 邮筒 and 收件箱 will also help you navigate Chinese communication more effectively, especially in the digital age.
How Formal Is It?
"请将信件投入邮筒中。 (Please put the letter into the postbox.)"
"我的信箱里有一封新邮件。 (There's a new email in my inbox / a new letter in my mailbox.)"
"你查邮箱了吗？ (Have you checked your mailbox/email inbox?)"
"小鸟在信箱上唱歌。 (The little bird is singing on the mailbox.)"
Exemples par niveau
我每天早上都会检查信箱，看看有没有新邮件。
I check my mailbox every morning to see if there's any new mail.
你把信放进信箱了吗？
Did you put the letter in the mailbox?
这个信箱有点旧了，该换新的了。
This mailbox is a bit old, it's time to replace it.
我昨天收到一封来自银行的信，信箱里还有吗？
I received a letter from the bank yesterday, is it still in the mailbox?
我们的公寓楼下有一个公共信箱。
There's a public mailbox downstairs in our apartment building.
请把这个包裹放在门口的信箱旁边。
Please leave this package next to the mailbox at the door.
我忘了带钥匙，信箱打不开。
I forgot my key, so I can't open the mailbox.
他每天都期待着信箱里有她的来信。
He looks forward to her letters in the mailbox every day.
Astuces
Literal meaning of 信箱
The word consists of two characters: 信 (xìn) which means 'letter' or 'correspondence', and 箱 (xiāng) which means 'box' or 'case'. So, literally, it's a 'letter box'.
Distinguishing 信箱 from 邮箱
While both can refer to a mailbox, 信箱 (xìnxiāng) generally refers to a physical mailbox for traditional mail. 邮箱 (yóuxiāng) can refer to a physical mailbox or, more commonly, an email inbox.
Using 信箱 in a sentence
You can say: '请把信放到我的信箱里。' (Qǐng bǎ xìn fàng dào wǒ de xìnxiāng lǐ.) - Please put the letter in my mailbox.
Asking where the mailbox is
To ask where the mailbox is, you can say: '信箱在哪里？' (Xìnxiāng zài nǎlǐ?) - Where is the mailbox?
Variations of 'mailbox'
In some contexts, especially when talking about post office boxes, you might hear '邮政信箱' (yóuzhèng xìnxiāng), where 邮政 means 'postal'.
Visualizing 信箱
Think of the familiar image of a box where physical letters are delivered. This helps differentiate it from an email inbox.
Common phrases with 信箱
Another common phrase is '检查信箱' (jiǎnchá xìnxiāng) meaning 'check the mailbox'.
Don't confuse with 'email'
Be careful not to use 信箱 when you mean 'email'. For email, use '电子邮件' (diànzǐ yóujiàn) or '邮箱' (yóuxiāng) as a shorthand for 'email inbox'.
Practicing pronunciation
Pay attention to the tones: 信 (xìn) is a 4th tone, and 箱 (xiāng) is a 1st tone. Practice saying them together clearly.
Memory aid for 箱
The character 箱 (xiāng) is also used in words like '冰箱' (bīngxiāng) for 'refrigerator' (literally 'ice box') and '行李箱' (xínglǐxiāng) for 'suitcase' (literally 'travel box'). This helps solidify its meaning of 'box'.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'shin-she-ang' (sounds like 'xìnxiāng'). Imagine a 'shin'y 'she'en 'ang'el delivering mail to your mailbox.
Association visuelle
Picture a traditional mailbox with a letter peeking out. The character 信 (xìn) means 'letter' or 'trust', and 箱 (xiāng) means 'box'. So, it's literally a 'letter box'. Visualizing a letter going into a box can reinforce this.
Word Web
Défi
When you send or receive mail, or even just walk past a mailbox, try to say '信箱' out loud. If you have an email inbox, think of it as your '电子信箱' (diànzǐ xìnxiāng - electronic mailbox) or 邮箱 (yóuxiāng) and use the word.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
At home, referring to where physical mail is delivered.
- 我家的信箱在门外。
- My mailbox is outside the door.
At an apartment building, referring to a shared mail area.
- 请把信放到我的信箱里。
- Please put the letter in my mailbox.
In an office setting, referring to an internal mail slot or box.
- 我的信箱在办公室的走廊上。
- My mailbox is in the office hallway.
When talking about sending physical mail.
- 信箱满了，要清理一下了。
- The mailbox is full, it needs to be cleared out.
Referring to an email inbox, but in a more literal, less common way.
- 我收到了一个新邮件，在我的信箱里。
- I received a new email, it's in my inbox (literally: mailbox).
Amorces de conversation
"你家有信箱吗？"
"你经常检查你的信箱吗？"
"你的信箱里有什么有趣的信吗？"
"你觉得电子信箱比传统信箱更好吗？"
"如果你是邮递员，你会喜欢送信到信箱里吗？"
Sujets d'écriture
描述你家的信箱长什么样。
写一篇关于你上次收到一封有趣的信的日记。
想象一下如果没有信箱，我们的生活会有什么不同。
写下你对未来信箱的设想。
记录你生活中与“信箱”相关的任何小故事。
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThat's a good question! While both 信箱 (xìnxiāng) and 邮箱 (yóuxiāng) can refer to a mailbox, there's a subtle but important distinction. 信箱 usually refers to a physical mailbox where you receive paper mail or letters. Think of the box outside your house. 邮箱 is more commonly used for an email inbox, like your Gmail or Outlook. You might also hear 邮筒 (yóutǒng) for a public postbox where you drop off letters to be sent.
You could say:
- 我查了我的信箱 (Wǒ chá le wǒ de xìnxiāng). This means 'I checked my mailbox.'
- If you're talking about email, you'd say: 我查了我的邮箱 (Wǒ chá le wǒ de yóuxiāng).
Yes, you can! A post office box is often called a 邮政信箱 (yóuzhèng xìnxiāng) in Chinese. So, using 信箱 in that context is perfectly fine.
Absolutely. Just like in English, there are different types of physical mailboxes. You could have a 家门口的信箱 (jiāmén kǒu de xìnxiāng), which is a mailbox by your front door. Or a 公寓楼下的信箱 (gōngyù lóuxià de xìnxiāng), a mailbox downstairs in an apartment building. The word 信箱 covers them all.
You can ask: 信箱里有邮件吗？(Xìnxiāng lǐ yǒu yóujiàn ma?) Here, 邮件 (yóujiàn) refers to physical mail, not email in this context. If you want to be more specific, you can say 信箱里有信吗？(Xìnxiāng lǐ yǒu xìn ma?) which means 'Are there any letters in the mailbox?'
A mail slot is typically called a 投信口 (tóuxìnkǒu), literally 'letter-dropping opening.' While 信箱 refers to the container itself, 投信口 is the opening where you put the mail in. You wouldn't usually use 信箱 for just the slot.
It depends. In many apartment buildings, there are communal mailboxes for all residents. In some older houses, you might still find individual mailboxes. With the rise of digital communication, physical mail isn't as common as it once was, but mailboxes are still very much a part of the infrastructure.
Let's break it down:
- 信 (xìn) means 'letter,' 'message,' 'trust,' or 'believe.'
- 箱 (xiāng) means 'box,' 'case,' or 'trunk.'
Generally, no. When you hear 信箱, it almost exclusively refers to a physical mailbox for letters and physical mail. If you're talking about email, you'll use 邮箱. It's quite specific in its meaning.
You can say: 我的信箱满了 (Wǒ de xìnxiāng mǎn le). Here, 满 (mǎn) means 'full' or 'filled.' This is applicable whether you're talking about a physical mailbox or even an email inbox, though for email, 我的邮箱满了 is more common.
Teste-toi 66 questions
Write a short sentence saying 'There is a mailbox at home.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
家里有一个信箱。
Translate 'I check the mailbox every day.' into Chinese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我每天都看信箱。
Write a sentence asking 'Is there a letter in the mailbox?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
信箱里有信吗？
我家门口有什么颜色？
Read this passage:
这是我的家。我家门口有一个红色的信箱。每天早上，我都会打开信箱，看看有没有新邮件。
我家门口有什么颜色？
文章中提到“我家门口有一个红色的信箱”。
文章中提到“我家门口有一个红色的信箱”。
我每天早上做什么？
Read this passage:
这是我的家。我家门口有一个红色的信箱。每天早上，我都会打开信箱，看看有没有新邮件。
我每天早上做什么？
文章中提到“每天早上，我都会打开信箱”。
文章中提到“每天早上，我都会打开信箱”。
信箱里有什么？
Read this passage:
我家有一个信箱。信箱里有一封信。这封信是我的朋友寄给我的。我很高兴。
信箱里有什么？
文章中提到“信箱里有一封信”。
文章中提到“信箱里有一封信”。
Put the letter in the mailbox.
I check the mailbox every day.
This mailbox is new.
Read this aloud:
我找不到信箱了。
Focus: 信箱 (xìnxiāng)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
请问，信箱在哪里？
Focus: 信箱 (xìnxiāng)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
信箱里有信吗？
Focus: 信箱 (xìnxiāng)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You want to send a letter. What do you need to find?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我要找到信箱。
Describe where the mailbox is in relation to your house using a simple sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
信箱在我的家旁边。
Imagine you are waiting for an important letter. Where would you look?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我会去看信箱。
What should be done with the letter?
Read this passage:
这封信很重要，请你把它放进信箱。明天我会去拿。
What should be done with the letter?
The passage says '请你把它放进信箱' which means 'please put it into the mailbox'.
The passage says '请你把它放进信箱' which means 'please put it into the mailbox'.
Why does Xiao Wang check his mailbox every day?
Read this passage:
小王每天都检查他的信箱，因为他期待一封来自朋友的信。
Why does Xiao Wang check his mailbox every day?
The passage states '他期待一封来自朋友的信', meaning 'he expects a letter from a friend'.
The passage states '他期待一封来自朋友的信', meaning 'he expects a letter from a friend'.
What color is the mailbox?
Read this passage:
我家门口有一个红色的信箱。邮递员每天都会来。
What color is the mailbox?
The passage says '有一个红色的信箱', which means 'there is a red mailbox'.
The passage says '有一个红色的信箱', which means 'there is a red mailbox'.
Choose the correct sentence: Where is the mailbox?
To ask 'Where is X?', the common structure is 'X 在哪里？' (X zài nǎli?).
Which sentence means: 'I put the letter in the mailbox.'?
The '把' (bǎ) structure is used to indicate a disposal or arrangement of an object. The structure is 'Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + 在/到 + Place + (了)'.
If someone asks '你有看到信箱吗？' (Nǐ yǒu kàndào xìnxiāng ma?), what are they asking?
The question uses '信箱' (xìnxiāng) which means mailbox.
The sentence '请把信投到信箱里。' (Qǐng bǎ xìn tóu dào xìnxiāng lǐ.) means 'Please send the letter to the post office.'
'投到信箱里' means 'put into the mailbox', not 'send to the post office'.
You can use '信箱' to refer to an email inbox in Chinese.
While '信箱' refers to a physical mailbox, an email inbox is typically called '邮箱' (yóuxiāng) or '电子邮件信箱' (diànzǐ yóujiàn xìnxiāng).
If you are looking for a place to put a letter, you should look for a '信箱'.
'信箱' is the correct term for a physical mailbox where you would put a letter.
每天早上我都会检查我的___，看看有没有新邮件。
信箱 (xìnxiāng) refers to a physical mailbox where letters are delivered.
我家门口的红色___很久没有打开过了。
信箱 (xìnxiāng) is the correct word for a physical mailbox.
请把信件投到门口的___。
信箱 (xìnxiāng) is where you would deposit letters.
他每天都会查看家里的___，生怕错过重要的信件。
信箱 (xìnxiāng) is the place to check for important letters.
这个小区的每户人家都有一个独立的___。
信箱 (xìnxiāng) is commonly found for each household in a community.
我把钥匙藏在了___下面，等你回来自己拿。
While unconventional, hiding a key under a mailbox (信箱 - xìnxiāng) is a plausible scenario for a fill-in-the-blank exercise.
她把情书偷偷放进了他的___。
Contextually, a love letter would be placed in a 'mailbox' (信箱). The other options don't fit the romantic and clandestine nature of '情书' (love letter).
我每天早上都会检查___，看看有没有新邮件。
The sentence talks about checking for new mail (新邮件), which is done in a 'mailbox' (信箱).
小区门口的___已经很久没有清理了，里面堆满了广告传单。
The context implies a place where advertisements (广告传单) pile up if not cleaned, which is typically a communal 'mailbox' (信箱) area.
请把您的意见和建议投入我们的意见___。
An '意见信箱' (suggestion box/mailbox) is a common way to collect feedback. '邮箱' refers to email, not a physical box.
这栋老式公寓楼的每个住户都有一个独立的___。
In an apartment building, each resident typically has an individual 'mailbox' (信箱) for their mail.
邮递员每天都会准时将信件投递到各家的___里。
Mail carriers (邮递员) deliver letters (信件) to people's 'mailboxes' (信箱).
当你在等待重要文件时，你会频繁检查什么？
当你在等待重要文件时，你会频繁检查信箱以查看是否有邮件送达。
如果你的信箱坏了，你会怎么做？
一个坏了的信箱需要修理，以便能够正常接收邮件。
在电子时代，除了实体信件，信箱还可以指代什么？
在现代，'信箱'也常用来指代电子邮件的收件箱（email inbox）。
“信箱”主要用于接收包裹。
信箱主要用于接收信件和小型邮件，包裹通常需要到邮局或快递点领取。
你可以在任何地方找到一个信箱。
信箱通常安装在住宅或公共场所的特定位置，不能在任何地方都找到。
写信时，通常会将地址写在信箱上。
地址应该写在信封上，而不是信箱上。信箱是接收邮件的容器。
The correct order is Subject (她) + Time (每天) + Adverb (都会) + Verb (检查) + Object (信箱).
The correct order is '请把' (please take) + Object (信) + Verb (寄) + Preposition (到) + Location (我的信箱).
The correct order describes the location of the mailbox: '我们公寓的信箱' (our apartment's mailbox) + '在' (is at) + '入口处' (the entrance).
他每天下班回家第一件事就是打开___，看看有没有新的信件或包裹。
根据语境“信件或包裹”，此处应填表示接收信件的“信箱”。
自从有了电子邮件，我们使用传统___的频率就大大降低了。
“电子邮件”对应的是传统的“信箱”进行物理信件的收发。
物业管理处提醒住户定期清理自家___，避免重要通知遗失。
“重要通知遗失”提示这里应该是指接收通知的“信箱”。
我忘记了我的___钥匙，导致我无法取出里面的账单。
“无法取出里面的账单”暗示了需要钥匙打开的是“信箱”。
这个小区的每栋楼下都安装了整齐划一的居民___。
“居民”和“安装在楼下”表明这是用于收发居民信件的“信箱”。
我有一个朋友喜欢收集老式___，他说那代表着一种逝去的沟通方式。
“逝去的沟通方式”暗示了与信件相关的物品，即“信箱”。
Choose the most appropriate synonym for "信箱" in a digital context.
While "电子邮件" refers to email itself, "邮箱" is often used for an email inbox, aligning with the concept of a digital "信箱".
Which of the following phrases correctly uses "信箱" to refer to a physical place where letters are deposited?
The phrase "他检查了信箱，但什么都没有" directly implies checking a physical mailbox for letters. The other options use "信箱" in a more abstract or incorrect way.
In a formal business setting, if you want to ask someone to check their mail for an important document, which of these would be the most suitable way to use "信箱"?
"查收" (to check and receive) combined with "您的信箱" is a polite and formal way to ask someone to check their mail for an expected item.
You can use "信箱" interchangeably with "电子邮件地址" when giving someone your contact information.
"信箱" primarily refers to a physical mailbox or a digital inbox, while "电子邮件地址" specifically means an email address. They are not interchangeable when providing contact details.
When referring to the 'inbox' of an online messaging platform, it is appropriate to use "信箱" as in "我的社交媒体信箱里有很多消息" (My social media inbox has many messages).
In a modern context, "信箱" can be extended to refer to the inbox of various digital communication platforms, including social media.
If you are expecting a package, you would typically check your "信箱" for its arrival.
While small letters and documents go into a "信箱," packages are generally too large and are typically delivered to the doorstep or a designated parcel locker, not a standard "信箱."
The initial design intention of this project was to fill a market gap, but during implementation, it encountered unprecedented resistance, leading to the risk of its demise at a critical moment before market launch.
Although all parties are in endless dispute over this issue, we must seek a universally applicable solution that balances short-term benefits with long-term development, otherwise, we will fall into an endless stalemate.
This company, with its excellent R&D capabilities and unique market strategy, successfully stood out in a fiercely competitive industry, establishing its unshakeable leading position.
Read this aloud:
请你阐述一下，在当前全球经济形势下，企业如何才能有效地应对不确定性，并抓住新的发展机遇？
Focus: 阐述, 有效地应对, 不确定性, 抓住机遇
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
针对科技发展对社会伦理和个人隐私带来的深远影响，你有什么看法？我们应该如何平衡技术进步与人文关怀？
Focus: 科技发展, 社会伦理, 个人隐私, 平衡, 人文关怀
Tu as dit :
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请你评价一下，在促进文化交流和理解方面，跨国合作项目能够发挥怎样的独特作用？并举例说明。
Focus: 评价, 促进文化交流, 跨国合作项目, 独特作用, 举例说明
Tu as dit :
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Literal meaning of 信箱
The word consists of two characters: 信 (xìn) which means 'letter' or 'correspondence', and 箱 (xiāng) which means 'box' or 'case'. So, literally, it's a 'letter box'.
Distinguishing 信箱 from 邮箱
While both can refer to a mailbox, 信箱 (xìnxiāng) generally refers to a physical mailbox for traditional mail. 邮箱 (yóuxiāng) can refer to a physical mailbox or, more commonly, an email inbox.
Using 信箱 in a sentence
You can say: '请把信放到我的信箱里。' (Qǐng bǎ xìn fàng dào wǒ de xìnxiāng lǐ.) - Please put the letter in my mailbox.
Asking where the mailbox is
To ask where the mailbox is, you can say: '信箱在哪里？' (Xìnxiāng zài nǎlǐ?) - Where is the mailbox?
Exemple
我去信箱取邮件。
