Nuance & Usage
手紙 refers to a written letter sent by mail. Despite the digital age, letter-writing culture remains strong in Japan, especially for formal occasions like 年賀状 (nengajou — New Year's cards) and お礼状 (orejou — thank-you letters). Common expressions: 手紙を書く (write a letter), 手紙を出す (send/mail a letter), 手紙をもらう (receive a letter). Note: メール (meeru) is used for emails, not 手紙.
Common Mistakes
A famous false friend: in Chinese, 手紙 means "toilet paper," which can cause embarrassing misunderstandings between Japanese and Chinese speakers! In Japanese, it strictly means a letter. Also, don't confuse 手紙を出す (to send a letter — 出す means to put out/submit) with 手紙を送る (okuru — also means to send, but slightly more formal). Both are correct.
Example Sentences (3)
おばあちゃんに手紙を書きました。
おばあちゃんにてがみをかきました。
I wrote a letter to my grandmother.
日本から手紙が届きました。
にほんからてがみがとどきました。
A letter arrived from Japan.
手紙で気持ちを伝えたいです。
てがみできもちをつたえたいです。
I want to express my feelings through a letter.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 手紙 with 4 different question types.
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