fājiànrén: 发件人 - Sender, Originator

• Keywords: 发件人, fajianren, sender in Chinese, how to say sender in Chinese, email sender Chinese, package sender Chinese, 发件人 vs 收件人, Chinese email vocabulary, Chinese shipping terms
• Summary: Learn how to say 'sender' in Chinese with our guide to 发件人 (fājiànrén). This essential term is used for everything from the sender in an email to the sender of a package. Understand the crucial difference between 发件人 vs 收件人 (shōujiànrén), the recipient, and see practical examples of this key piece of Chinese email vocabulary and shipping terminology.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fājiànrén
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The person or entity who sends a letter, package, or email.
• In a Nutshell: 发件人 (fājiànrén) is the direct and standard Chinese word for “sender.” It's a highly logical and literal term you'll encounter in any situation involving sending something, whether it's a digital email or a physical parcel. Think of it as the “From” field on an envelope or in your email client.

• 发 (fā): This character means “to send out,” “to dispatch,” or “to issue.” Picture it as the action of launching something forward, like sending a message or dispatching goods.
• 件 (jiàn): This is a very common measure word for items, documents, clothing, or pieces of luggage. Here, it simply means “item” or “matter.”
• 人 (rén): This character means “person” and is one of the most basic characters, originally a pictogram of a person from the side.

When combined, 发 (fā) + 件 (jiàn) + 人 (rén) literally translates to the “send-item-person”—the person who sends the item. This logical construction makes it very easy to remember.

While 发件人 (fājiànrén) is a functional, modern term, the identity of the sender has deep cultural roots in China. In a culture that values relationships (关系, guānxi) and social hierarchy, knowing who the 发件人 is can be more important than the item itself. For example, receiving a gift basket during a holiday isn't just about the food inside; it's about acknowledging the relationship with the sender. The sender's name, title, and company (the 发件人 information) communicate respect, obligation, and the status of the relationship. This contrasts with the more individualistic Western approach where a gift is often seen primarily as a personal gesture. In modern business, the 发件人 field in an email often includes the person's company and title. This isn't just contact information; it immediately establishes the context and level of formality required for the interaction. An email from a CEO carries a different weight than one from an intern, and this is instantly clear from the 发件人 line.

发件人 (fājiànrén) is a standard, neutral term used in formal and informal logistics and communication.

• Email (电子邮件): This is where you will see it most often in daily digital life. It is the “From” field in any Chinese-language email client.
• Shipping and Logistics (快递): When you send a package in China, you must fill out the 发件人 section on the shipping label (快递单, kuàidì dān), which includes your name, address, and phone number.
• Official Documents: In memos or internal company documents, the 发件人 might refer to the originating department or individual.

The term itself is neither formal nor informal; it is simply the correct technical term.

• Example 1:
  • 这封电子邮件的发件人是谁？
  • Pinyin: Zhè fēng diànzǐ yóujiàn de fājiànrén shì shéi?
  • English: Who is the sender of this email?
  • Analysis: A very common and practical question. Note the use of 的 (de) to show possession: “email's sender.”
• Example 2:
  • 请在包裹上清楚地写下发件人的地址和电话。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài bāoguǒ shàng qīngchǔ de xiě xià fājiànrén de dìzhǐ hé diànhuà.
  • English: Please clearly write the sender's address and phone number on the package.
  • Analysis: This sentence is what you would hear at a post office or from a courier. `清楚地 (qīngchǔ de)` means “clearly.”
• Example 3:
  • 发件人和收件人的信息都必须填写完整。
  • Pinyin: Fājiànrén hé shōujiànrén de xìnxī dōu bìxū tiánxiě wánzhěng.
  • English: The information for both the sender and the recipient must be filled out completely.
  • Analysis: This highlights the direct contrast with 收件人 (shōujiànrén), the recipient. `必须 (bìxū)` means “must.”
• Example 4:
  • 如果发件人不明，我通常会直接删除邮件。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ fājiànrén bùmíng, wǒ tōngcháng huì zhíjiē shānchú yóujiàn.
  • English: If the sender is unknown, I usually delete the email directly.
  • Analysis: `不明 (bùmíng)` means “unclear” or “unknown.” This is a good sentence for talking about email security.
• Example 5:
  • 我是这个包裹的发件人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shì zhège bāoguǒ de fājiànrén.
  • English: I am the sender of this package.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct sentence for identifying yourself.
• Example 6:
  • 系统显示发件人是“市场部”。
  • Pinyin: Xìtǒng xiǎnshì fājiànrén shì “Shìchǎng Bù”.
  • English: The system shows the sender is the “Marketing Department.”
  • Analysis: Shows that the sender can be a group or department, not just an individual.
• Example 7:
  • 快递员正在联系发件人，因为地址有误。
  • Pinyin: Kuàidì yuán zhèngzài liánxì fājiànrén, yīnwèi dìzhǐ yǒu wù.
  • English: The courier is contacting the sender because the address is incorrect.
  • Analysis: `有误 (yǒu wù)` is a slightly formal way to say “there is an error.”
• Example 8:
  • 这件礼物没有发件人信息，真神秘！
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn lǐwù méiyǒu fājiànrén xìnxī, zhēn shénmì!
  • English: This gift has no sender information, how mysterious!
  • Analysis: `神秘 (shénmì)` means “mysterious.” This shows a more conversational use.
• Example 9:
  • 请确认一下发件人的姓名拼写是否正确。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng quèrèn yīxià fājiànrén de xìngmíng pīnxiě shìfǒu zhèngquè.
  • English: Please confirm whether the spelling of the sender's name is correct.
  • Analysis: A useful phrase in a business or administrative context. `是否 (shìfǒu)` is a common way to form a “yes/no” question.
• Example 10:
  • 根据物流跟踪，发件人昨天已经发货了。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù wùliú gēnzōng, fājiànrén zuótiān yǐjīng fāhuò le.
  • English: According to the logistics tracking, the sender already shipped the goods yesterday.
  • Analysis: `物流跟踪 (wùliú gēnzōng)` means “logistics tracking,” a very common term in the age of online shopping.

• 发件人 (fājiànrén) vs. 收件人 (shōujiànrén): This is the most critical distinction. They are direct opposites.
  • 发 (fā): to send out.
  • 收 (shōu): to receive.
  • Mistaking one for the other will cause major confusion. Always remember: 发 = From, 收 = To.
• 发件人 (fājiànrén) vs. 寄件人 (jìjiànrén): These terms are nearly interchangeable, but there's a slight nuance.
  • 寄 (jì) specifically means “to mail” or “to post” via a postal service. So, 寄件人 (jìjiànrén) is perfect for physical letters and packages.
  • 发 (fā) means “to send” more broadly. It covers physical mail, but also digital items like emails, faxes, and messages.
  • Rule of Thumb: You can almost always use 发件人. It's the more versatile and common term, especially in digital contexts. Use 寄件人 if you want to be specific about physical mail.
• Don't use it for intangible things: You wouldn't say you are the 发件人 of an idea or a compliment in a casual conversation. In those cases, you'd just say, “I said it” (我说的, wǒ shuō de) or “The idea is mine” (是我的主意, shì wǒ de zhǔyi). 发件人 is reserved for concrete communications and goods.

• 收件人 (shōujiànrén) - The recipient or receiver. The direct antonym of 发件人.
• 寄件人 (jìjiànrén) - Sender (of physical mail). A very close synonym.
• 发送 (fāsòng) - To send, to dispatch. The verb form related to the “发” in 发件人.
• 电子邮件 (diànzǐ yóujiàn) - Email. A primary context where you find 发件人.
• 快递 (kuàidì) - Express delivery service. The industry that deals with 发件人 and 收件人 every day.
• 地址 (dìzhǐ) - Address. Essential information for both sender and recipient.
• 包裹 (bāoguǒ) - Parcel, package. The “item” (件) that is being sent.
• 运单 (yùndān) - Shipping label, waybill. The form where you write the 发件人's information.
• 主题 (zhǔtí) - Subject line (of an email). It appears right next to the 发件人.
• 信息 (xìnxī) - Information, message. The details associated with the sender.