Japanese word

切手

Pronunciation

Romajikitte

Meaning

  • nounstamp

Example

切手を一枚ください。kitte o ichi mai ku da sa i

One stamp, please.

Illustration for 切手 (stamp)

More examples

この手紙には切手を貼ります。ko no te gami ni wa kitte o ha ri ma su

I will put a stamp on this letter.

Core concept

A small paper label attached to a mailed item shows that its postage has been paid.

Common phrases

  • 切手を貼るkitte o ha ru

    put a stamp on

  • 切手を買うkitte o ka u

    buy stamps

Similar words

郵便切手yūbinkitte: A paper label for paying the cost of sending a letter or parcel.

Definition in Japanese

郵便物に貼って郵便料金を支払ったことを示す小さな紙片。yū bin butsu ni ha tte yū bin ryō kin o shi hara tta ko to o shime su chii sa na shi hen

Word origin

The word 切手 (kitte) is a shortening of 切符手形 (kippu tegata), meaning a ticket or certificate; in 郵便切手 (yūbin kitte), it names a stamp used to pay postage.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 切手 (kitte) normally means a postage stamp, while English stamp also refers to an ink mark or a seal.

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