Japanese word

投函

Pronunciation

Romajitōkan

Meaning

  • nounmailing

Example

手紙を投函しました。te gami o tō kan shi ma shi ta

I mailed the letter.

Illustration for 投函 (mailing)

More examples

締め切りに間に合うよう、応募書類の投函を済ませました。shi me ki ri ni ma ni a u yō ō bo sho rui no tō kan o su ma se ma shi ta

I finished mailing the application documents in time for the deadline.

Core concept

Describes placing a letter or other mailable item into a collection box, focusing on the physical step that begins its delivery.

Common phrases

  • 手紙を投函するte gami o tō kan su ru

    mail a letter

  • はがきを投函するha ga ki o tō kan su ru

    mail a postcard

Similar words

郵送yūsō: The process of sending a letter or other mailable item through the postal system.
発送hassō: The act of sending a letter, package, or other item to its destination.

Definition in Japanese

手紙や郵便物などを郵便ポストの投入口に入れること。te gami ya yū bin butsu na do o yū bin po su to no tō nyū kuchi ni i re ru ko to

Word origin

投函 (tōkan) combines 投 (tō, "put in") and 函 (kan, "box"), describing the act of putting an item into a box.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 投函 (tōkan) usually names the moment a letter enters a mailbox, while 郵送 (yūsō) covers sending it through the postal service.

Other meanings

  • postingnoun

Word lists with this word