手紙
tegami[te̞ɡa̠mʲi]
The Japanese word for 'letter' is 手紙 (tegami).
手紙 is the most common and widely understood term for a 'letter' in Japanese.
Meaning: written message (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While 手紙 is standard, the term 書簡 is a more formal word for 'letter' that is typically used in formal written communications. When writing formal letters, it is common to use respectful phrases such as お世話になっております and to close the letter with よろしくお願いします.
Is it said differently in some regions?
手紙 is noted as a dialectal form.
How do you pronounce it?
tegami
Did you know?
- While the word 手紙 literally translates to 'hand paper', it is a complete false friend to the Chinese word with the same characters, which means 'toilet paper'.
- Japanese letters often use seasonal greetings at the start, where the writer describes the current weather or nature to establish a mood before the main message.
- Japanese culture has a tradition of 'nengajo', New Year's postcards sent to maintain social ties, which results in millions of 手紙 being delivered on January 1st.
Examples in context
- はい、手紙。Here's a letter for you.This sentence is useful for handing someone a letter using 手紙.Tatoeba #12299409 by small_snow, translation #5780545 by CK
- 手紙を下さい。Please send me a letter.This sentence is useful for requesting someone to send a letter using 手紙.Tatoeba #148569 by bunbuku, translation #542518 by CK
- 手紙は僕宛だよ。The letter is for me.This sentence is useful for stating that a letter is addressed to someone using 手紙.Tatoeba #10483448 by bunbuku, translation #46758 by CK
- 彼に手紙を書きたい。I want to write him a letter.
- 明日、おばあちゃんに手紙を書こうと思ってるんだ。I'm planning to write a letter to grandma tomorrow.
- 396 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are looking at the mailbox at their house.
- 結衣 Yui手紙が届いているよ。Tegami ga todoite iru yo.A letter has arrived.
- 蓮 Ren僕への手紙かな？Boku e no tegami kana?I wonder if it is a letter for me?
- 結衣 Yui蓮君の名前が書いてある。Ren-kun no namae ga kaite aru.Your name is written on it, Ren.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、開けてみるね。Arigatou, akete miru ne.Thanks, I'll try opening it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “letter” translations and entries 手紙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 手紙, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
