葉書
hagaki[ha̠ɡa̠kʲi]
In Japanese, 'postcard' is said as 葉書 (hagaki). Wiktionary also lists ポストカード (posutokādo).
Meaning: rectangular piece of thick paper to be mailed without an envelope (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 葉書 | hagaki | [ha̠ɡa̠kʲi] (narrow) |
| ポストカード | posutokādo |
A postcard is a rectangular piece of thick paper used for mailing without an envelope. While 葉書 is the standard term for any postcard, you may also encounter the loanword ポストカード, which is often used to refer to decorative or photographic postcards.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 葉書 is composed of the kanji 葉 (leaf) and 書 (writing/document), literally meaning 'leaf writing'.
Which one should you use?
葉書 is the standard Japanese term for any postcard. In contrast, ポストカード is a loanword typically used when referring specifically to postcards that are decorative or feature photographs. Additionally, the term 絵葉書 is used specifically to denote a picture postcard.
How do you pronounce it?
hagaki
Did you know?
- In Japan, the 葉書 is the primary medium for 年賀状, a New Year's tradition where cards are sent to almost every contact to maintain social and professional harmony.
- Even though ポストカード is a direct loanword from English, it is often perceived as more 'stylish' or 'western' than the native 葉書.
- The act of sending a 葉書 uses the verb 出す, which literally means 'to put out' or 'to take out', rather than a word for 'sending'.
Examples in context
- トムが葉書を送ってきたんだ。Tom sent me a postcard.This sentence is useful for describing receiving a postcard from someone named Tom using 葉書.Tatoeba #8928611 by bunbuku, translation #8430960 by CK
- フランスから絵葉書が届いた。I got a postcard from France.This sentence is useful for describing receiving a postcard from France using 葉書.Tatoeba #11945747 by small_snow, translation #11038713 by sundown
- 父は、ポストカードを買いに行きました。My father has gone out to buy a postcard.This sentence is useful for describing the act of going to buy a postcard using ポストカード.Tatoeba #8502913 by small_snow, translation #318922 by CK
- 「はがきを送りたいのですが、どこで買えますか？」I would like to send a postcard, where can I buy one?
- 「旅行先からカードを送りましたよ。」I sent you a postcard from my travel destination.
- 「旅先でポストカードを見つけたから、送るね！」I found a postcard during my trip, so I'll send it to you!
- 「はがきはどこで買えますか？」Where can I buy postcards?
- 「はがきを送りたいです。」I want to send a postcard.
- 「ポストカードを送りたいんですけど。」I want to send a postcard, you know.
- 「ポストカードをありがとう！感謝してるよ。」Thank you for the postcard! I really appreciate it.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Himari and Ren are at a stationery shop.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、どの葉書にする？Ren-kun, dono hagaki ni suru?Ren, which postcard are you going to get?
- 蓮 Renこの風景の葉書がいいな。Kono fūkei no hagaki ga ii na.I like this landscape postcard.
- 陽葵 Himariいい選び方だね。Ii erabikata da ne.That's a good choice.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。友達に送るよ。Arigatō. Tomodachi ni okuru yo.Thanks. I'll send it to a friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “postcard” translations and entries 葉書, ポストカード, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
