A mailbox is a place or account for receiving mail or emails.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Mailbox for letters or email.
- Physical box or digital account.
- Essential for communication.
Overview
“邮箱”这个词在中文里有两个主要含义。第一，它指物理上的信箱，也就是邮递员用来投递信件的盒子，通常安装在住家或办公楼的外面。第二，也是更常用的含义，特指电子邮箱（email inbox），是我们在互联网上用于接收和发送电子邮件的个人账户。这个词在日常生活中非常普遍，尤其是在信息化时代，电子邮箱几乎是每个人必备的通讯工具。
作为名词，“邮箱”的使用非常灵活。它可以单独使用，指代一个实体或账户。例如，“我的邮箱满了”可以指物理邮箱塞满了信件，也可以指电子邮箱存储空间不足。在描述具体位置时，可以说“把信投进邮箱”。在涉及网络交流时，常与“电子”、“邮件”、“地址”等词搭配，如“电子邮箱地址”、“我的邮箱是...”。它也可以作为动作的对象，如“检查邮箱”、“回复邮箱里的邮件”。
“邮箱”最常出现在以下语境中：
**办公环境**: 邮件处理、文件收发等，如“请将报告发送至我的工作邮箱”。
与“邮箱”相似的词语包括“信箱”（xìn xiāng）和“收件箱”（shōu jiàn xiāng）。
- 信箱: “信箱”更侧重于物理上的信件接收装置，与“邮箱”的第一个含义高度重合，但在指代电子邮箱时不如“邮箱”常用。
- 收件箱: “收件箱”特指电子邮箱中用于接收邮件的那个特定区域或文件夹，是“电子邮箱”概念的一部分。而“邮箱”可以泛指整个电子邮箱账户（包括收件箱、发件箱等），也可以单指收件箱。在指代电子邮箱时，“邮箱”比“收件箱”更常用和广泛。
Examples
请把这封信放进我的邮箱。
everydayPlease put this letter into my mailbox.
我需要注册一个账号，请提供您的电子邮箱地址。
formalI need to register an account, please provide your email address.
嘿，我给你发了个邮件，查收一下邮箱。
informalHey, I sent you an email, check your inbox.
研究人员通常会通过电子邮件与其同行交换数据，并使用指定的邮箱进行管理。
academicResearchers often exchange data with their peers via email, using designated mailboxes for management.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我的邮箱是...
My email address is...
查收邮箱
Check your inbox
邮箱服务
Email service
Often Confused With
While '邮箱' can refer to both physical mailboxes and email accounts, '信箱' primarily refers to the physical container for receiving letters. You wouldn't typically use '信箱' to refer to an email account.
'收件箱' specifically refers to the inbox folder within an email account, where received emails are stored. '邮箱' can refer to the entire email account or just the inbox.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '邮箱' is widely used in both physical and digital contexts. When referring to email, it's often used interchangeably with '电子邮箱' or '电子邮件地址'. In informal spoken Chinese, simply saying '邮箱' is very common when the context of email is clear.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '信箱' when referring to email, which can sound dated or incorrect. Also, ensure clarity by specifying '电子邮箱' if the context isn't obvious, although '邮箱' alone is usually understood in digital contexts.
Tips
Check your email regularly
Make it a habit to check your email inbox frequently to stay updated.
Protect your email password
Your email account often contains sensitive information, so keep your password secure.
Email etiquette matters
In Chinese culture, just like elsewhere, polite and clear communication in emails is appreciated.
Word Origin
The word '邮箱' is a compound word. '邮' (yóu) means 'mail' or 'post', and '箱' (xiāng) means 'box' or 'chest'. Thus, it literally translates to 'mail box'. Its extension to email is a natural semantic shift in the digital age.
Cultural Context
In China, like in many parts of the world, email remains a primary tool for formal communication, job applications, and official correspondence, even with the rise of instant messaging apps.
Memory Tip
Imagine a physical mailbox ('箱') where you put or receive mail ('邮'). This helps remember the core meaning, which then extends to digital mail (email).
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“邮箱”可以指物理信箱，也可以指电子邮箱。而“信箱”通常只指物理信箱，用于接收纸质信件。
你可以说：“我的电子邮箱地址是...”或者更简洁地说：“我的邮箱是...”。
这取决于语境。如果是物理邮箱，可能表示信件太多放不下了。如果是电子邮箱，通常指存储空间已满，无法接收更多邮件。
邮箱通常用于接收验证信息、找回密码、接收通知或进行账户关联，是网站与用户保持联系的重要方式。
Test Yourself
请把这封信投进你的______。
这里指物理的信箱，所以“邮箱”是正确的选择。
注册这个网站需要提供一个有效的______。
网站注册通常需要电子邮箱来接收验证码或通知。
词语：我 / 邮箱 / 检查 / 刚 / 了
这是最符合中文语序和习惯的表达方式。
Score: /3
Summary
A mailbox is a place or account for receiving mail or emails.
- Mailbox for letters or email.
- Physical box or digital account.
- Essential for communication.
Check your email regularly
Make it a habit to check your email inbox frequently to stay updated.
Protect your email password
Your email account often contains sensitive information, so keep your password secure.
Email etiquette matters
In Chinese culture, just like elsewhere, polite and clear communication in emails is appreciated.
Examples
4 of 4请把这封信放进我的邮箱。
Please put this letter into my mailbox.
我需要注册一个账号，请提供您的电子邮箱地址。
I need to register an account, please provide your email address.
嘿，我给你发了个邮件，查收一下邮箱。
Hey, I sent you an email, check your inbox.
研究人员通常会通过电子邮件与其同行交换数据，并使用指定的邮箱进行管理。
Researchers often exchange data with their peers via email, using designated mailboxes for management.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More communication words
承认
A2to admit; to acknowledge
恐怕
B1I'm afraid that...; perhaps; probably. Used to express concern, uncertainty, or to soften a polite refusal.
同意
A1to agree
虽然...但是...
A2although...but...
公告
B1announcement
回答
A1to answer; to reply
接听
B2To answer (a phone call).
致歉
B2To express an apology formally. This is a critical term for IELTS letters of apology.
提问
A1To ask a question; to pose an inquiry.
广播
A2Broadcast.
