Japanese word

はがき

Pronunciation

Romajihagaki

Meaning

  • nounpostcard

Example

私は友達にはがきを送ります。watashi wa tomo dachi ni ha ga ki o oku ri ma su

I send a postcard to my friend.

Illustration for はがき (postcard)

More examples

新しい住所をはがきに書いてください。atara shi i jū sho o ha ga ki ni ka i te ku da sa i

Please write the new address on the postcard.

Core concept

It is a small, flat piece of mail that carries a short written message without an envelope.

Common phrases

  • はがきを買うha ga ki o ka u

    buy a postcard

  • はがきに住所を書くha ga ki ni jū sho o ka ku

    write an address on a postcard

  • はがきを出すha ga ki o da su

    mail a postcard

Definition in Japanese

封筒に入れず、表面に宛名を書いて郵送する紙片。fū tō ni i re zu hyō men ni ate na o ka i te yū sō su ru shi hen

Word origin

The noun はがき (hagaki) is commonly written 葉書 (hagaki), combining 葉 (ha, "leaf") and 書 (kaki, "writing") to suggest a leaf-like writing surface.

Usage tips

  • In Japan, standard はがき (hagaki) is sold with postage already printed, so it does not need an additional stamp for domestic mailing.

Word lists with this word