Japanese word

便り

Pronunciation

Romajitayori

Meaning

  • nounnews

Example

遠くの友から便りがありました。tō ku no tomo ka ra tayo ri ga a ri ma shi ta

I heard from a friend far away.

Illustration for 便り (news)

More examples

しばらく便りがないので、少し心配です。shi ba ra ku tayo ri ga na i no de suko shi shin pai de su

I am a little worried because I have not heard from them for a while.

Core concept

Centers on contact from someone, whether it arrives as written mail or as a piece of news.

Common phrases

  • 便りがないtayo ri ga na i

    have no news

  • 便りを待つtayo ri o ma tsu

    wait for news

  • 便りが届くtayo ri ga todo ku

    receive a letter

Similar words

音信onshin: Contact or news exchanged between people, especially when they are separated.
知らせshirase: Information or a message that tells someone about an event or situation.
消息shōsoku: Information about a person's condition, whereabouts, or recent activities.

Definition in Japanese

人から伝えられる消息や連絡。hito ka ra tsuta e ra re ru shō soku ya ren raku

Word origin

便り (tayori, "news or a message") is a native Japanese noun formed from 便る (tayoru, "to rely on"), with the related sense of something that connects people.

Usage tips

  • 便り (tayori) often suggests personal contact from a person or source rather than general information about a subject.

Other meanings

  • letternoun
  • informationnoun

Word lists with this word