How to say "envelope" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

封筒ふうとうJLPT N5approx.Common
nounCovers the noun sense: a paper wrapper for a letter. Use this when 'envelope' means the object itself, as in mail and correspondence.
だれがこの封筒ふうとうを破やぶって開あけたのか。↗
Who has torn the envelope open?
巻くまくJLPT N2approx.Common
godan verb, transitive verbCovers the verb sense: to wrap or wind around something, and so to shroud it. Choose this when 'envelope' is a verb describing one thing wrapping around and covering another.

Use 封筒 for the noun sense, a paper wrapper for a letter; use 「巻く」 for the verb sense, to wrap or shroud something, as when 'envelope' means to cover or enclose it.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

封筒ふうとうenvelope
エンベロープenvelope
状袋じょうぶくろenvelope
包絡線ほうらくせんenvelope
球皮きゅうひenvelope (of a hot air balloon)
上包みうわづつみcover
外皮がいひskin
巻くまくto envelope
気嚢きのうgasbag (airship)

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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