郵便配達員
yūbin haitatsuin
In Japanese, "mailman" can be translated as 郵便配達員 (yūbin haitatsuin). Wiktionary also lists 郵便集配人 (yūbin shūhainin) and 郵便配達人 (yūbin haitatsunin).
Meaning: post office employee (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 郵便配達員 | yūbin haitatsuin |
| 郵便集配人 | yūbin shūhainin |
| 郵便配達人 | yūbin haitatsunin |
What does it mean word for word?
The word 郵便配達員 is composed of 郵便 (post/mail), 配達 (delivery) and 員 (employee/member).
Which one should you use?
While 郵便配達員 focuses specifically on the person who delivers mail, 郵便集配人 refers more broadly to staff involved in both the collection and delivery of mail. Additionally, 郵便局員 is a more general term for any employee working at a post office, not necessarily one who performs deliveries.
How do you pronounce it?
yūbin haitatsuin
Did you know?
- In Japan, the post office system is so integrated into the state that a 郵便局員 often acts as a local banker and insurance agent in addition to handling mail.
- The word 郵便 'mail' shares its root with the concept of 'sending by one's authority', reflecting a history where mail was primarily a government-controlled communication system.
- Historically, many Japanese mailmen were known for their distinctive red bicycles, which became an iconic symbol of the postal service in urban areas.
Examples in context
- Watashi wa yuubinkyokuin desu. (私は郵便局員です。)I am a mailman/mailwoman.
- 郵便配達員が来ました。yuubinhaitatuin ga kimashita.The mailman has arrived.
- あの郵便配達員はとても親切です。ano yuubinhaitatuin wa totemo shinsetsu desu.That mailman is very kind.
- 郵便配達員に荷物を渡しました。yuubinhaitatuin ni nimotsu o watashimashita.I handed the package to the mailman.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are talking at home about a delivery.
- 結衣 Yui郵便配達員が来たみたいだよ。yuubinhaitatuin ga kita mitai da yo.It looks like the mailman is here.
- 蓮 Renあ、荷物が届いたのかな？a, nimotsu ga todoita no kana?Oh, I wonder if a package arrived?
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんが確認してきて。ren-san ga kakunin shite kite.Ren, could you go check?
- 蓮 Renわかった、見てくるね。wakatta, mite kuru ne.Okay, I'll go take a look.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mailman” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
