[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":2336,"blog-article-cms-comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide":2338,"article-hreflang-comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide":2339,"blog-article-related-comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide":3911},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":2314,"extension":2315,"meta":2316,"navigation":2329,"path":2330,"rawbody":2331,"seo":2332,"stem":2333,"__hash__":2334,"timestampUnix":2317,"slug":2318,"h1":2319,"image":2320,"tags":2325,"timestamp":2335,"locale":-1},"content\u002Farticle\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-letter-comprehensive.md","Comprehensive Japanese Letter Writing Guide: Styles, Etiquette, and Key Phrases",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":2272},"minimark",[9,13,27,34,53,67,70,73,76,81,84,124,134,141,144,149,157,162,182,185,231,234,261,265,275,278,353,365,389,393,401,405,408,411,441,451,455,507,511,519,523,533,536,570,574,589,592,636,640,648,651,655,664,673,695,699,709,713,723,764,767,775,779,782,791,795,798,824,826,830,833,836,840,843,849,852,900,904,912,915,957,961,964,967,1079,1088,1101,1106,1110,1113,1117,1119,1158,1162,1165,1168,1176,1180,1183,1186,1190,1194,1197,1200,1203,1237,1244,1248,1251,1262,1268,1271,1275,1278,1288,1292,1295,1308,1311,1320,1323,1327,1330,1375,1387,1390,1394,1397,1405,1408,1412,1423,1438,1441,1445,1448,1481,1484,1488,1498,1504,1507,1511,1514,1519,1522,1529,1549,1552,1556,1560,1563,1569,1572,1590,1593,1604,1611,1615,1618,1622,1630,1633,1638,1644,1648,1657,1668,1671,1674,1680,1682,1686,1689,1692,1695,1699,1703,1706,1710,1884,1888,2087,2091],[10,11,12],"p",{},"In Japan, as with the rest of the world, it's become less common to send people handwritten letters. Most written communication happens via text messages, social media, and emails.",[10,14,15,16,21,22,26],{},"With this in mind, while you definitely don't need to know how to write a letter to ",[17,18,20],"a",{"href":19},"\u002Flearn-japanese","learn Japanese",".... there ",[23,24,25],"em",{},"are"," situations where it would be appropriate to write someone a letter by hand. Plus, it's kind of cool. And hey, sometimes, you just want to write a letter. (We want you to send that love letter, too. We're rooting for you!)",[10,28,29,30,33],{},"In this article we'll start by walking through the structure of a ",[23,31,32],{},"formal"," letter in detail. While you likely won't write a letter like this, if you learn how to write one, it'll make it easy to understand how more informal letters, business emails, and even things like postcards work, too.",[10,35,36,37,40,41,46,47,52],{},"Oh, and before we get too far along — the Japanese word for ",[23,38,39],{},"letter"," is ",[42,43],"typo",{"lang":44,"syntax":45},"ja","手紙[てがみ]"," ",[48,49],"custom-audio",{"src":50,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_手紙.mp3","3",".",[10,54,55],{},[23,56,57,58,62,63,52],{},"Note: There are three Japanese writing systems. This blog post assumes that you can already ",[17,59,61],{"href":60},"\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fthe-japanese-language-hiragana","read hiragana"," and understand ",[17,64,66],{"href":65},"\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fhow-to-learn-kanji","how kanji work",[10,68,69],{},"We'll get into:",[71,72],"toc",{},[74,75],"hr",{},[77,78,80],"h2",{"id":79},"japanese-letter-format-formal-letter","Japanese letter format (formal letter)",[10,82,83],{},"Generally speaking, a \"proper\" Japanese letter has ten key components and can be broken down into four sections:",[85,86,87,97,106,115],"ul",{},[88,89,90,91,46,94],"li",{},"An opening section, called ",[42,92],{"lang":44,"syntax":93},"前文[ぜんぶん]",[48,95],{"src":96,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F前文.mp3",[88,98,99,100,46,103],{},"The body, called ",[42,101],{"lang":44,"syntax":102},"主文[しゅぶん]",[48,104],{"src":105,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F主文.mp3",[88,107,108,109,46,112],{},"A closing section, called ",[42,110],{"lang":44,"syntax":111},"末文[まつぶん]",[48,113],{"src":114,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F末文.mp3",[88,116,117,118,46,121],{},"The appendix, called ",[42,119],{"lang":44,"syntax":120},"後付[あとづけ]",[48,122],{"src":123,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F後付.mp3",[10,125,126,127,133],{},"You can see these sections outlined in the below example (",[17,128,132],{"href":129,"rel":130},"https:\u002F\u002Ffudemame.net\u002Ffudemamenet\u002Ffudemamedia\u002Fhagaki\u002F03\u002F",[131],"nofollow","source","):",[135,136],"img",{"src":137,"width":138,"height":139,"alt":140},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku_formal_letter1.webp",1400,1030,"A graphic shows that a Japanese letter can be broken down into the opening, main part, closing phrase, and appendix.",[10,142,143],{},"And now we'll explore each of those sections.",[145,146,148],"h3",{"id":147},"the-opening-section","The opening section",[10,150,151,152,46,154,156],{},"The opening part of a letter is called ",[42,153],{"lang":44,"syntax":93},[48,155],{"src":96,":type":51},", and it is comprised of two components.",[158,159,161],"h4",{"id":160},"_1-opening-words","1. Opening words",[10,163,164,165,168,46,171,174,175,46,178,181],{},"To start a letter, insert a",[166,167],"br",{},[42,169],{"lang":44,"syntax":170},"頭語[とうご]",[48,172],{"src":173,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F頭語.mp3",": an opening expression. The most standard expression is ",[42,176],{"lang":44,"syntax":177},"拝啓[はいけい]",[48,179],{"src":180,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_拝啓.mp3",", and it roughly corresponds to \"dear\" or \"to whom it may concern\" in English.",[10,183,184],{},"A few other opening words you may sometimes use:",[85,186,187,200,209,222],{},[88,188,189,192,193,196,197,199],{},[42,190],{"lang":44,"syntax":191},"謹啓[きんけい]","\n \n",[48,194],{"src":195,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_謹啓.mp3","\n — This is like \n",[42,198],{"lang":44,"syntax":177},"\n but more polite, suitable for use when writing to customers or your boss\n",[88,201,202,192,205,208],{},[42,203],{"lang":44,"syntax":204},"前略[ぜんりゃく]",[48,206],{"src":207,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-前略.mp3","\n — This means \"skipping the preliminaries\" and is used when writing about urgent matters or sending condolences; see the \"seasonal greetings\" section for more information\n",[88,210,211,192,214,217,218,221],{},[42,212],{"lang":44,"syntax":213},"拝復[はいふく]",[48,215],{"src":216,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_拝復.mp3","\n — This is used when you are \n",[23,219,220],{},"responding","\n to a letter that someone has sent to you\n",[88,223,224,225,230],{},"Several more of these can be seen ",[17,226,229],{"href":227,"rel":228},"https:\u002F\u002Fletter.midori-japan.co.jp\u002Fletter-manners\u002Ftougo-ketsugo\u002F",[131],"here",", in Japanese",[10,232,233],{},"Two quick notes:",[85,235,236,255],{},[88,237,238,242,243,246,247,250,251,254],{},[239,240,241],"strong",{},"Name placement"," — While English letters begin with ",[23,244,245],{},"dear {name}",", Japanese letters basically just say ",[23,248,249],{},"dear",". The name of the recipient goes on the envelope and at the end of the letter, but ",[23,252,253],{},"not"," in the beginning of the letter.",[88,256,257,260],{},[239,258,259],{},"Word pairs"," — Opening and closing words actually come in pairs, meaning that if you open a letter with Opening Words A, you must close the letter with Closing Words A. See the below section on \"closing words\" to see the phrases that correspond with the above opening words.",[158,262,264],{"id":263},"_2-a-seasonal-greeting","2. A seasonal greeting",[10,266,267,268,46,271,274],{},"In Japanese culture, it's customary to offer a brief greeting that alludes to the season at hand before you get into the main body of the letter. Called a ",[42,269],{"lang":44,"syntax":270},"時候[じこう] の 挨拶[あいさつ]",[48,272],{"src":273,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F時候の挨拶.mp3",", these are pleasant in tone, somewhat poetic, and include a wish for the good health of the person you're writing to.",[10,276,277],{},"Here are a few sample greetings that I found in letters online:",[85,279,280,299,317,335],{},[88,281,282,285],{},[239,283,284],{},"Spring greetings",[85,286,287,296],{},[88,288,289,290,46,293],{},"JA: ",[42,291],{"lang":44,"syntax":292},"桜[さくら] も いつしか 盛[さか]り を 過[す,すぎる]ぎました が{、}お 健[すこ]やか に お過[おす]ごし の こと と お 喜[よろこ]び 申し上[もうしあ,もうしあげる]げます{。}",[48,294],{"src":295,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_springgreetings1.mp3",[88,297,298],{},"EN: \"The cherry blossoms have already passed their peak, yet I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits.\"",[88,300,301,304],{},[239,302,303],{},"Summer greetings",[85,305,306,314],{},[88,307,289,308,46,311],{},[42,309],{"lang":44,"syntax":310},"梅雨[つゆ] 明[あ,あける]けて 息[いき] つく 間[ま]もなく この 暑[あつ]さ{、}お 元気[げんき] で お過[おす]ごし でしょう か",[48,312],{"src":313,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_summergreetings.mp3",[88,315,316],{},"EN: \"The rainy season has just ended, yet there’s hardly a moment to catch our breath before this intense heat arrives. I hope you are keeping well.\"",[88,318,319,322],{},[239,320,321],{},"Fall greetings",[85,323,324,332],{},[88,325,289,326,46,329],{},[42,327],{"lang":44,"syntax":328},"日に日[ひにひ]に 秋[あき] が 深[ふか,ふかまる]まって 参[まい,まいる]りました が{、}お 変[か,かわる]わり ありません でしょう か",[48,330],{"src":331,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_fallgreeting.mp3",[88,333,334],{},"EN: \"As the days go by, autumn is deepening, and I hope you are doing well.\"",[88,336,337,340],{},[239,338,339],{},"Winter greetings",[85,341,342,350],{},[88,343,289,344,46,347],{},[42,345],{"lang":44,"syntax":346},"大寒[だいかん] を 迎[むか,むかえる]え、寒[さむ,さむい]さ が 厳[きび,きびしい]しさ を 増[ま,ます]して お[,おる]ります が、ご 清祥[せいしょう] に お 暮[く,くらす]らし でしょう か。",[48,348],{"src":349,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002FExample_Sentence_1.mp3",[88,351,352],{},"EN: \"As we enter the coldest season of the year, the weather is getting colder and colder, and I hope that you are living in good health.\"",[10,354,355,356,360,361,364],{},"There are many customary seasonal words and phrases, such as those shown ",[17,357,229],{"href":358,"rel":359},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.akitem.co.jp\u002Fmame\u002FMC3.htm",[131]," (",[23,362,363],{},"link in Japanese","). You can use them to build your own greeting.",[10,366,367],{},[23,368,369,370,46,372,374,375,46,378,381,382,46,385,388],{},"Note: When sending condolences, the seasonal greeting is typically skipped, thus letting the letter's focus revolve entirely around your sympathies. In these cases, open the letter with ",[42,371],{"lang":44,"syntax":204},[48,373],{"src":207,":type":51}," (\"skipping the preliminaries\") or ",[42,376],{"lang":44,"syntax":377},"前略[ぜんりゃく] 失礼[しつれい]いたします",[48,379],{"src":380,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-前略失礼いたします.mp3"," (\"my sincerest apologies for skipping the preliminaries\") , say what you have to say, and then close the letter with ",[42,383],{"lang":44,"syntax":384},"早々[そうそう]",[48,386],{"src":387,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-早々.mp3"," (\"apologies for the brevity\").",[145,390,392],{"id":391},"the-body-main-part-of-your-message","The body \u002F main part of your message",[10,394,395,396,46,398,400],{},"Salutations out of the way, we may now move on to the main part of the letter, called the ",[42,397],{"lang":44,"syntax":102},[48,399],{"src":105,":type":51},". Just like in English, this is the part of the letter where you say whatever it is that you have to say.",[158,402,404],{"id":403},"_3-transition","3. Transition",[10,406,407],{},"It would be somewhat jarring to jump straight from \"the cherry blossoms have already begun to wilt\" to \"I blew a tire out on the highway and was thus, regretfully, unable to attend the...\", so Japanese people add a bit of cushion between the seasonal greeting and letter body.",[10,409,410],{},"Here are a few common transitional phrases that you can use in letters and also in normal communication:",[85,412,413,420,427,434],{},[88,414,415,416,419],{},"さて ",[48,417],{"src":418,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_さて.mp3"," — Well; now; then",[88,421,422,423,426],{},"このたび ",[48,424],{"src":425,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_このたび.mp3"," — recently; on this occasion",[88,428,429,430,433],{},"早速ですが ",[48,431],{"src":432,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_早速ですが.mp3"," — without further ado",[88,435,436,437,230],{},"Several more examples ",[17,438,229],{"href":439,"rel":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.letter110.net\u002Fyougo\u002Fshubun.html",[131],[10,442,443,444,46,447,450],{},"You may either use these words (called ",[42,445],{"lang":44,"syntax":446},"起語[きご]",[48,448],{"src":449,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_起語.mp3",") and write an entire transitional sentence, or you may follow your chosen word\u002Fphrase with a comma and then proceed directly to the body of your letter.",[158,452,454],{"id":453},"_4-the-body","4. The body",[10,456,457,458,46,461,464,465,467,468,473,475,476,46,479,482,483,360,488,46,491,494,495,360,500,46,503,506],{},"Here, in the ",[42,459],{"lang":44,"syntax":460},"本文[ほんぶん]",[48,462],{"src":463,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_本文.mp3",", you may share your message. How you go about writing it depends on your relationship with the addressee, but given that this is a ",[23,466,32],{}," letter, it will likely be somewhat elevated in style, and also use ",[17,469,472],{"href":470,"rel":471},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese#Polite_language",[131],"polite language",[166,474],{},"\n(",[42,477],{"lang":44,"syntax":478},"丁寧語[ていねいご]",[48,480],{"src":481,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_丁寧語.mp3",") and ",[17,484,487],{"href":485,"rel":486},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese#Word_beautification",[131],"beautified words",[42,489],{"lang":44,"syntax":490},"美化語[びかご]",[48,492],{"src":493,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_美化語.mp3","), if not full-blown ",[17,496,499],{"href":497,"rel":498},"https:\u002F\u002Fimabi.org\u002Fhonorifics-vi-regular-verbs\u002F",[131],"honorific language",[42,501],{"lang":44,"syntax":502},"敬語[けいご]",[48,504],{"src":505,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_敬語.mp3",").",[145,508,510],{"id":509},"the-closing-section","The closing section",[10,512,513,514,46,516,518],{},"The final portion of a Japanese letter, the",[42,515],{"lang":44,"syntax":111},[48,517],{"src":114,":type":51},", is a bit more complex than that of an English letter, but not by much. It contains two parts.",[158,520,522],{"id":521},"_5-a-closing-expression","5. A closing expression",[10,524,525,526,46,529,532],{},"The closing expression (",[42,527],{"lang":44,"syntax":528},"結[むす]び の 挨拶[あいさつ]",[48,530],{"src":531,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_結びの挨拶.mp3",") is a counterpart to the seasonal greeting you used to begin the letter. Here, you express your wishes for the addressee's health and happiness. If in a business context, you should convey your hopes for the company's prosperity and success.",[10,534,535],{},"Your letter might include a closing line such as:",[85,537,538,545,554,563],{},[88,539,540,541,544],{},"それでは、・・・",[48,542],{"src":543,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_それでは.mp3"," — \"well then\", followed by whatever you'd like to say in closing",[88,546,547,192,550,553],{},[42,548],{"lang":44,"syntax":549},"今後[こんご] とも よろしく お 願い[ねが,ねがい]いたします",[48,551],{"src":552,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_今後ともよろしくお願いいたします.mp3","\n — \"Thank you for your continued support moving forward\" (you'll hear this a lot in Japan!)\n",[88,555,556,192,559,562],{},[42,557],{"lang":44,"syntax":558},"ますます の ご 活躍[かつやく] を お 祈り[いの,いのり] します",[48,560],{"src":561,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_ますますのご活躍をお祈りします.mp3","\n — \"Wishing you continued success in all your endeavors.\"\n",[88,564,565,566,230],{},"Several more examples available ",[17,567,229],{"href":568,"rel":569},"https:\u002F\u002Fletter.midori-japan.co.jp\u002Fspecial\u002Fphrase\u002Fphrase-musubi\u002F",[131],[158,571,573],{"id":572},"_6-closing-words","6. Closing words",[10,575,576,577,46,579,581,582,46,585,588],{},"Just as the closing expression corresponds to the seasonal phrase, the closing words correspond to the opening words. In our opening words example we used with ",[42,578],{"lang":44,"syntax":177},[48,580],{"src":180,":type":51},", so here we should close with its counterpart, ",[42,583],{"lang":44,"syntax":584},"敬具[けいぐ]",[48,586],{"src":587,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F敬具.mp3",", which can be translated as \"yours truly.\"",[10,590,591],{},"As mentioned in that earlier section, opening words and closing words come in pairs. Here are some other common word pairs you might use:",[85,593,594,605,616,631],{},[88,595,596,192,599,602,603],{},[42,597],{"lang":44,"syntax":598},"謹言[きんげん]",[48,600],{"src":601,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_謹言.mp3","\n — Use when you open your letter with \n",[42,604],{"lang":44,"syntax":191},[88,606,607,192,609,602,611,613,614],{},[42,608],{"lang":44,"syntax":384},[48,610,192],{"src":387,":type":51},[42,612],{"lang":44,"syntax":204},"\n or \n",[42,615],{"lang":44,"syntax":377},[88,617,618,192,620,622,623,192,625],{},[42,619],{"lang":44,"syntax":584},[48,621],{"src":587,":type":51},"\n — Use when you begin a letter with \n",[42,624],{"lang":44,"syntax":213},[23,626,627,628,630],{},"(yes, this is the same closing word as was used with ",[42,629],{"lang":44,"syntax":177},")",[88,632,224,633,230],{},[17,634,229],{"href":227,"rel":635},[131],[145,637,639],{"id":638},"the-appendix","The appendix",[10,641,642,643,46,645,647],{},"The appendix, the",[42,644],{"lang":44,"syntax":120},[48,646],{"src":123,":type":51},", is where all of the \"extra\" information goes. It includes four parts.",[10,649,650],{},"Note that the spacing\u002Fplacement of these elements may be different than you expect, so be sure to refer to the sample letter at the top of this article.",[158,652,654],{"id":653},"_7-the-date","7. The date",[10,656,657,658,46,661,506],{},"List out the date (",[42,659],{"lang":44,"syntax":660},"日付[ひづけ]",[48,662],{"src":663,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F日付.mp3",[10,665,666,667,672],{},"Note that Japan has ",[17,668,671],{"href":669,"rel":670},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJapanese_era_name#Modern_Japan",[131],"their own calendar system based on the Japanese eras",", and you should use that here, not our Western calendar. As such, you should write:",[85,674,675,685],{},[88,676,677,678,46,681,684],{},"❌ ",[42,679],{"lang":44,"syntax":680},"{ 2024 }年[ねん] { 10 }月[がつ]{ } 07日[なのか]",[48,682],{"src":683,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_2024年10月07日.mp3"," — October 10th, 2024",[88,686,687,688,46,691,694],{},"✅ ",[42,689],{"lang":44,"syntax":690},"令和[れいわ] { 06 }年[ねん] { 10 }月[がつ]{ } 07日[なのか]",[48,692],{"src":693,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_令和06年10月07日.mp3"," — October 10th of the 6th year of the Reiwa era",[158,696,698],{"id":697},"_8-your-signature","8. Your signature",[10,700,701,702,46,705,708],{},"Add your signature (",[42,703],{"lang":44,"syntax":704},"署名[しょめい]",[48,706],{"src":707,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F署名.mp3","). Note that if you write your name in Japanese, your family name should be placed before your given name.",[158,710,712],{"id":711},"_9-the-addressees-name","9. The addressee's name",[10,714,715,716,46,719,722],{},"Finally, you list the addressee\u002Frecipient (the ",[42,717],{"lang":44,"syntax":718},"宛名[あてな]",[48,720],{"src":721,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F宛名.mp3","). This requires three steps:",[724,725,726,729,739],"ol",{},[88,727,728],{},"Write your addressee's name: family name first, given name second",[88,730,731,732,46,735,738],{},"† Attach the suffix ",[42,733],{"lang":44,"syntax":734},"様[さま]",[48,736],{"src":737,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_さま.mp3"," to their name",[88,740,741,742,46,745,360,748,751,752,757,758,46,761,630],{},"On the next line, next to the suffix, write ",[42,743],{"lang":44,"syntax":744},"侍史[じし]",[48,746],{"src":747,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_侍史.mp3",[23,749,750],{},"\"with all due respect\"",")—or, if you know what you're doing, ",[17,753,756],{"href":754,"rel":755},"https:\u002F\u002Fgeki-fu.com\u002Fgf\u002Fpage\u002Farticle\u002Foyakudachi\u002Ftrivia\u002F65\u002F#:~:text=%E7%88%B6%E3%82%84%E6%AF%8D%E3%81%AB%E5%AE%9B%E3%81%A6,%E3%81%AA%E8%84%87%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%81%8C%E3%81%82%E3%82%8A%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82",[131],"your respectful term of choice"," (called a ",[42,759],{"lang":44,"syntax":760},"脇付け[わきづけ,わきづ]",[48,762],{"src":763,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_脇付け.mp3",[10,765,766],{},"Again, be sure to refer to the image above, as the placement of these three elements may not be intuitive if you haven't written a Japanese letter before.",[10,768,769],{},[23,770,771,772,774],{},"† While ",[42,773],{"lang":44,"syntax":734}," may sound overly formal in speech, it is the standard suffix used in formal writing. It is even used if the person you are writing to you is younger in age and lower in status.",[158,776,778],{"id":777},"_10-optional-the-post-script","10. (Optional) The post script",[10,780,781],{},"Any supplementary information that you'd like to include but don't feel should go in the letter body may be placed here.",[10,783,784,785,46,788,52],{},"In Japanese, this is called the ",[42,786],{"lang":44,"syntax":787},"追伸[ついしん]",[48,789],{"src":790,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_追伸.mp3",[145,792,794],{"id":793},"a-few-notes-about-formal-letters","A few notes about formal letters",[10,796,797],{},"If you're going to go to the trouble of writing a formal Japanese letter, you might also want to:",[724,799,800,806],{},[88,801,802,805],{},[239,803,804],{},"Write vertically"," — Formal letters are written vertically: you begin writing in the top-right portion of the page, work your way down, move one line to the left when you reach the bottom, and then continue on in this fashion until you eventually reach the bottom-left portion of the page",[88,807,808,823],{},[239,809,810,811,46,814,817,818],{},"Use ",[42,812],{"lang":44,"syntax":813},"和紙[わし]",[48,815],{"src":816,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_和紙.mp3",", ",[17,819,822],{"href":820,"rel":821},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FWashi",[131],"traditional Japanese paper"," — Washi is made by hand from the bark of a specific tree and is used in many traditional Japanese arts, such as origami and calligraphy",[74,825],{},[77,827,829],{"id":828},"how-to-address-an-envelope","How to address an envelope",[10,831,832],{},"We've now got your letter, but you didn't write it to look pretty on your coffee table. It's time to send it!",[10,834,835],{},"Here's everything you need to know about Japanese envelopes and addresses to get your letter to its destination.",[145,837,839],{"id":838},"the-front-of-the-envelope","The front of the envelope",[10,841,842],{},"Here's what the front of a Japanese envelope looks like:",[135,844],{"src":845,"width":846,"height":847,"alt":848},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese_envelope_front.webp",1200,1020,"A graphic showing what the front of a Japanese envelope looks like.",[10,850,851],{},"You'll fill this out as follows:",[724,853,854,867,878,884,890],{},[88,855,856,859,860,46,863,866],{},[239,857,858],{},"Stamp"," — Place the stamp (",[42,861],{"lang":44,"syntax":862},"切手[きって]",[48,864],{"src":865,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_切手.mp3",") in the top-left corner of the envelope",[88,868,869,872,873,630],{},[239,870,871],{},"Postal code"," — Place the recipient's 7-digit postal code alongside the top-right corner of the envelope (",[17,874,877],{"href":875,"rel":876},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.japanpostalcode.net\u002F",[131],"here's a tool to look up Japanese postal codes",[88,879,880,883],{},[239,881,882],{},"Spacing"," —Mind the spacing! There should be some white space between the postal code and the top of the envelope, a similar amount of space between the postal code and the recipient's address, and a larger space between the postal code and the recipient's name",[88,885,886,889],{},[239,887,888],{},"Recipient's address"," — Write the recipient's address on the right side of the envelope",[88,891,892,895,896,899],{},[239,893,894],{},"Recipient's name"," — Write the recipient's name in the ",[23,897,898],{},"family-name → first-name"," format; use a larger font size than you did for the address",[158,901,903],{"id":902},"which-suffix-to-use-with-the-recipients-name","Which suffix to use with the recipient's name",[10,905,906,907,46,909,911],{},"As mentioned in step 9 above, you should attach an honorific suffix to the recipient's name. If in doubt, ",[42,908],{"lang":44,"syntax":734},[48,910],{"src":737,":type":51}," is a safe option. It is considered standard and can be used with anyone, regardless of their relationship to you.",[10,913,914],{},"様 aside, here are a few other suffixes you might also see:",[85,916,917,926,941,950],{},[88,918,919,192,922,925],{},[42,920],{"lang":44,"syntax":921},"御中[おんちゅう]",[48,923],{"src":924,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_御中.mp3","\n — Featuring 中 (middle\u002Famongst), this suffix is used to address an organization or group of people, and is what you'd use if submitting a job application\n",[88,927,928,192,931,613,934,192,937,940],{},[42,929],{"lang":44,"syntax":930},"行[ぎょう]",[48,932],{"src":933,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_行.mp3",[42,935],{"lang":44,"syntax":936},"宛[あて]",[48,938],{"src":939,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_宛.mp3","\n — These can be used interchangeably and would be attached to your own name on a self-addressed envelope (of course, make sure you also include a return address)\n",[88,942,943,192,946,949],{},[42,944],{"lang":44,"syntax":945},"先生[せんせい]",[48,947],{"src":948,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-先生.mp3","\n — Literally meaning \"teacher\", this can be used in letters to teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy, authors, or such people\n",[88,951,952,953,230],{},"A few more specific suffixes can be found ",[17,954,229],{"href":955,"rel":956},"https:\u002F\u002Ftownwork.net\u002Fmagazine\u002Fskill\u002F124881\u002F#:~:text=%E3%80%8C%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E7%89%B9%E5%AE%9A%E3%81%AE%E5%80%8B%E4%BA%BA%E3%81%AB%E4%BD%BF%E3%81%86,-%E3%80%8C%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81&text=%E3%80%8C%E5%BE%A1%E4%B8%AD%E3%80%8D%E3%81%A8%E5%90%8C%E3%81%98%E3%82%88%E3%81%86%E3%81%AB,%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B%E3%81%AE%E3%81%AF%E9%96%93%E9%81%95%E3%81%84%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%80%82&text=%E5%AE%9B%E5%85%88%E3%81%8C%E8%A4%87%E6%95%B0%E5%90%8D%E3%81%AE,%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%82%92%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%81%BE%E3%81%97%E3%82%87%E3%81%86%E3%80%82",[131],[158,958,960],{"id":959},"how-japanese-addresses-work","How Japanese addresses work",[10,962,963],{},"Japanese addresses are organized so that the biggest area comes first, with the caveat being that the postal code is listed first (instead of last, as in the USA).",[10,965,966],{},"Here are the components of a Japanese address, in order:",[85,968,969,982,992,1023,1035,1061,1070],{},[88,970,971,972,46,975,978,979],{},"† Country (",[42,973],{"lang":44,"syntax":974},"国[くに]",[48,976],{"src":977,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_国.mp3",") ",[23,980,981],{},"(this may be omitted when sending mail domestically within Japan)",[88,983,984,985,46,988,991],{},"7-digit postal code (",[42,986],{"lang":44,"syntax":987},"郵便番号[ゆうびんばんごう]",[48,989],{"src":990,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_郵便番号.mp3",") in the format 〒###-####",[88,993,994,995,46,998,817,1001,46,1004,817,1007,46,1010,1013,1014,46,1017,46,1020],{},"Prefecture + ",[42,996],{"lang":44,"syntax":997},"都[と]",[48,999],{"src":1000,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_都.mp3",[42,1002],{"lang":44,"syntax":1003},"道[どう]",[48,1005],{"src":1006,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_とう.mp3",[42,1008],{"lang":44,"syntax":1009},"府[ふ]",[48,1011],{"src":1012,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_府.mp3"," or ",[42,1015],{"lang":44,"syntax":1016},"県[けん]",[48,1018],{"src":1019,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_県.mp3",[23,1021,1022],{},"(different prefectures use different ones)",[88,1024,1025,1026,46,1029,46,1032],{},"City name + ",[42,1027],{"lang":44,"syntax":1028},"市[し]",[48,1030],{"src":1031,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_市.mp3",[23,1033,1034],{},"(skip this if the city is Tokyo)",[88,1036,1037,1038,46,1041,1044,1045,46,1048,1051,1052,46,1055,46,1058],{},"City district name + ",[42,1039],{"lang":44,"syntax":1040},"区[く]",[48,1042],{"src":1043,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_区.mp3",", county city name +",[42,1046],{"lang":44,"syntax":1047},"町[ちょう]",[48,1049],{"src":1050,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_ちょう.mp3",", or village name + ",[42,1053],{"lang":44,"syntax":1054},"村[むら]",[48,1056],{"src":1057,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_村.mp3",[23,1059,1060],{},"(it depends on the size of your city)",[88,1062,1063,1064,46,1067],{},"District section + ",[42,1065],{"lang":44,"syntax":1066},"丁目[ちょうめ]",[48,1068],{"src":1069,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_丁目.mp3",[88,1071,1072,1073,46,1076,630],{},"Building\u002Fapartment number (usually with ",[42,1074],{"lang":44,"syntax":1075},"号[ごう]",[48,1077],{"src":1078,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_号.mp3",[10,1080,1081,1082,1087],{},"Putting all that together, here's the address of ",[17,1083,1086],{"href":1084,"rel":1085},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FWaseda_University",[131],"Waseda University",":",[85,1089,1090,1098],{},[88,1091,1092,192,1095],{},[42,1093],{"lang":44,"syntax":1094},"日本[にほん]{、〒 169-8050 }東京都[とうきょうと;n3] 新宿[しんじゅく;h] 区[く;o] 戸塚[とつか] 町[まち;o]{１}丁目[ちょうめ;n3]{１０４}",[48,1096],{"src":1097,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_wasedaaddress.mp3",[88,1099,1100],{},"Japan, 〒 169-8050, Tokyo Metropolis, Shinjuku District, Totsuka Town, 1st ward, 104",[10,1102,1103],{},[23,1104,1105],{},"† If you are sending a letter to Japan from overseas, write \"JAPAN\" at the bottom of the envelope so that the post office workers know where the letter should go. Upon entering Japan, Japanese post office workers will take the letter from there.",[145,1107,1109],{"id":1108},"the-back-of-the-envelope","The back of the envelope",[10,1111,1112],{},"Here's what the back of a standard Japanese envelope looks like:",[135,1114],{"src":1115,"width":846,"height":847,"alt":1116},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese_letter_back.webp","A graphic showing what the back of a Japanese envelope looks like.",[10,1118,851],{},[724,1120,1122,1128,1142,1152],{"start":1121},6,[88,1123,1124,1127],{},[239,1125,1126],{},"Date"," — You may optionally list the date that you sealed the envelope; while not necessary, filling it out is considered to show that you pay attention to detail",[88,1129,1130,1133,1134,1137,1138,230],{},[239,1131,1132],{},"Seal"," — Most envelopes have a sticky tongue, just like our envelopes, or may be sealed with tape. As such, you don't need to do anything special here. ",[23,1135,1136],{},"However",", if you want, you may write 寿 on the seal if the letter is for a wedding, or 賀 if it is for a holiday. More information about envelope seals can be found ",[17,1139,229],{"href":1140,"rel":1141},"https:\u002F\u002Fmail.quadient.com\u002Fja\u002Fblog\u002F20230526",[131],[88,1143,1144,1147,1148,1151],{},[239,1145,1146],{},"Your name"," — Again, remember to use the ",[23,1149,1150],{},"family name → first name"," format",[88,1153,1154,1157],{},[239,1155,1156],{},"Your address"," — Write your own address",[77,1159,1161],{"id":1160},"japanese-letter-format-casual-letter","Japanese letter format (casual letter)",[10,1163,1164],{},"Congrats! You now know how to write and address a formal Japanese letter, in the event that you're ever feeling super fancy.",[10,1166,1167],{},"Most of the time, though, you'll probably be sending letters that are more informal. Here, you have two options:",[724,1169,1170,1173],{},[88,1171,1172],{},"Follow the same format as the formal letter, but write horizontally (as we do in English) and include the recipient's name at the top of the letter",[88,1174,1175],{},"Do what we do in English — their name, body, your name",[145,1177,1179],{"id":1178},"how-to-write-a-slightly-less-formal-letter","How to write a slightly less-formal letter",[10,1181,1182],{},"Here's an example of a slightly less formal letter. As you can see, it has pretty much all of the parts of our formal letter above, but it's written from left to right and the recipient's name is on the page of the letter itself.",[10,1184,1185],{},"Realistically, if you're going to all this trouble, though, you might as well just write a formal letter!",[135,1187],{"src":1188,"width":846,"height":1189,"alt":140},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002FJP_Letters.webp",954,[145,1191,1193],{"id":1192},"how-to-write-a-very-casual-letter","How to write a very casual letter",[10,1195,1196],{},"There is a \"proper\" way to write a letter, and you now know it... but people don't send \"proper\" letters very often. A few Japanese friends I consulted even told me that they didn't really know anything about letter-writing etiquette.",[10,1198,1199],{},"Think about it: there's a proper way to arrange silverware on a dinner table, too, but how many of us actually own differently-sized spoons and forks, let alone know how to arrange them?",[10,1201,1202],{},"You'll more often find yourself scribbling a quick note to somebody, and in this case, you only need three things:",[85,1204,1205,1223,1228],{},[88,1206,1207,1210,1211,1214],{},[239,1208,1209],{},"Recipient's name + suffix + へ"," — ",[23,1212,1213],{},"Dear\u002Fto (person)",[85,1215,1216],{},[88,1217,1218,1219,630],{},"You can skip 様 and instead use さん, くん, or ちゃん, depending on how you typically address this person (more honorific suffixes ",[17,1220,229],{"href":1221,"rel":1222},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJapanese_honorifics",[131],[88,1224,1225],{},[239,1226,1227],{},"Your letter body",[88,1229,1230,1233,1234],{},[239,1231,1232],{},"Your name + より","　— ",[23,1235,1236],{},"from (your name)",[10,1238,1239,1240,1243],{},"Of course, this isn't to say that you ",[23,1241,1242],{},"can't"," include some of the elements of a formal letter. There are no rules! It's your letter. I personally recommend trying to include a seasonal greeting.",[77,1245,1247],{"id":1246},"how-to-write-a-business-email-in-japanese","How to write a business email in Japanese",[10,1249,1250],{},"The format of Japanese business emails is quite similar to that of a formal letter, but there are three main differences:",[85,1252,1253,1256,1259],{},[88,1254,1255],{},"There's no envelope, so the recipient's name goes in the email body",[88,1257,1258],{},"Time is money, so the lengthy sequence of opening phrases is skipped",[88,1260,1261],{},"Keigo is also used in the email, but it is formal and concise, rather than poetic",[1263,1264,1265],"blockquote",{},[10,1266,1267],{},"Keigo and email writing are also things that Japanese people have to learn upon entering the workforce, so if you enter do a Google search for ビジネスメール 書き方 (\"business mail how to write\"), there are tons of guides and templates you may copy\u002Freference.",[10,1269,1270],{},"To get started, here's a simple template you can use:",[145,1272,1274],{"id":1273},"email-fields","Email fields",[10,1276,1277],{},"To, CC, and BCC work in the same way as they do in English emails.",[10,1279,1280,1281,46,1284,1287],{},"The subject line (",[42,1282],{"lang":44,"syntax":1283},"件名[けんめい]",[48,1285],{"src":1286,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_件名.mp3",") is also nothing special: do your best to be concise and descriptive.",[145,1289,1291],{"id":1290},"the-addressees-information","The addressee's information",[10,1293,1294],{},"In the formal letter, we simply listed the addressee's name. In a business email, the name is broken into three lines:",[85,1296,1297,1300,1303],{},[88,1298,1299],{},"The name of the recipient's company",[88,1301,1302],{},"The name of the recipient's department",[88,1304,1305,1306],{},"The recipient's name + ",[42,1307],{"lang":44,"syntax":734},[10,1309,1310],{},"The first line is not necessary if you are sending an email to someone in the same company, and you may also see the second line omitted, too.",[1263,1312,1313],{},[10,1314,1315,1316,46,1318,52],{},"If you're at a Japanese university and are writing to a professor, replace the above with a single line: professor's last name + ",[42,1317],{"lang":44,"syntax":945},[48,1319],{"src":948,":type":51},[10,1321,1322],{},"When you're done, insert a line break so that there is a space between this section and the next section.",[145,1324,1326],{"id":1325},"the-greeting","The greeting",[10,1328,1329],{},"The greeting consists of two main lines, and they're quite fixed. You'll begin pretty much every email you ever write with these two short lines:",[85,1331,1332,1356],{},[88,1333,1334,1343],{},[239,1335,1336,1337,46,1340,630],{},"Greeting (",[42,1338],{"lang":44,"syntax":1339},"挨拶[あいさつ]",[48,1341],{"src":1342,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_挨拶.mp3",[85,1344,1345,1353],{},[88,1346,289,1347,46,1350],{},[42,1348],{"lang":44,"syntax":1349},"いつも お世話[おせわ] に なって おります{。}",[48,1351],{"src":1352,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_いつもお世話になっております。.mp3",[88,1354,1355],{},"EN: Thank you for your continued support",[88,1357,1358,1367],{},[239,1359,1360,1361,46,1364,630],{},"Self introduction (",[42,1362],{"lang":44,"syntax":1363},"名乗り[なのり,なの]",[48,1365],{"src":1366,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_名乗り.mp3",[85,1368,1369,1372],{},[88,1370,1371],{},"JA: (Company name)の(your name)です。",[88,1373,1374],{},"EN: (Your name) from (company)",[1263,1376,1377],{},[10,1378,1379,1380,46,1383,1386],{},"If contacting someone for the first time, replace the greeting line with ",[42,1381],{"lang":44,"syntax":1382},"初[はじ]めて ご 連絡[れんらく] いたし[,いたす]ます{。}",[48,1384],{"src":1385,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_初めてご連絡いたします.mp3",", which literally means \"This is the first time I'm contacting you\" and is a respectful set phrase used to initiate contact.",[10,1388,1389],{},"The above two lines should be placed one after another. Next, insert a line break so that there is space between the greeting and email body.",[145,1391,1393],{"id":1392},"the-email-body","The email body",[10,1395,1396],{},"Begin by stating the reason you are contacting this person. You may use the same transitional phrases we mentioned in the email section to do this, such as さて (\"well; then\") or このたび (\"on this occasion\").",[10,1398,1399,1400,1404],{},"Now you may say whatever it is you wish to say. Do your best to be concise, and use ",[17,1401,499],{"href":1402,"rel":1403},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese",[131]," to the best of your ability.",[10,1406,1407],{},"Upon finishing, insert a line break so that there is some space between the email body and your closing line.",[145,1409,1411],{"id":1410},"the-closing","The closing",[10,1413,1414,1415,360,1420,1422],{},"This is a single line to acknowledge that your message is coming to an end. There are ",[17,1416,1419],{"href":1417,"rel":1418},"https:\u002F\u002Fblastmail.jp\u002Fblog\u002Fmail\u002Fbusinessmail-last",[131],"many phrases you may use",[23,1421,363],{},"), but here's a safe one that will always be OK:",[85,1424,1425,1426,1425,1435],{},"\n  ",[88,1427,1428,1431,1432,1425],{},[42,1429],{"lang":44,"syntax":1430},"今後[こんご] と も 何卒[なにとぞ] よろしく お願[おねが]い いたします。","\n      ",[48,1433],{"src":1434,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F今後とも何卒よろしくお願いいたします。.mp3",[88,1436,1437],{},"\"I appreciate your continued cooperation\"",[10,1439,1440],{},"When you're done, move to the next line and insert a divider to separate the body of your email from your signature.",[145,1442,1444],{"id":1443},"your-signature","Your signature",[10,1446,1447],{},"Japanese signatures are very detailed, but the information is straightforward. Place each of the following pieces of information on a new line:",[85,1449,1450,1453,1462,1465,1468,1471,1478],{},[88,1451,1452],{},"Your company name and your department name",[88,1454,1455,1456,1458,1459,630],{},"Your name in ",[23,1457,1150],{}," format (",[23,1460,1461],{},"don't use 様 with your own name!!",[88,1463,1464],{},"Your company's postal code",[88,1466,1467],{},"Your company's physical or web address",[88,1469,1470],{},"Your work telephone number\u002Fextension",[88,1472,1473,1474,1477],{},"Your fax number, if you have one (and if you're working in Japan, you ",[23,1475,1476],{},"will"," have one)",[88,1479,1480],{},"Your email address",[10,1482,1483],{},"Different companies will do this differently, so if you are new, pay attention to the structure of your supervisor's signature.",[77,1485,1487],{"id":1486},"nengajo-postcards-sent-on-new-years","Nengajo, postcards sent on New Year's",[10,1489,1490,1491,46,1494,1497],{},"Realistically, if most people send anything via snail mail, it will be a ",[42,1492],{"lang":44,"syntax":1493},"年賀状[ねんがじょう]",[48,1495],{"src":1496,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_年賀状.mp3","—a special postcard that people send on New Year's.",[10,1499,1500,1501,1503],{},"You can send nengajo to anyone, but they're conventionally sent to people who have somehow helped you in the past year. You should ",[23,1502,253],{}," send them to people if one of their family members has died in the last year.",[10,1505,1506],{},"In December, you'll see these being sold in pretty much any store you walk into in Japan, from 7-11 to Daiso to the train station gift shop.",[145,1508,1510],{"id":1509},"what-nengajo-cards-look-like","What nengajo cards look like",[10,1512,1513],{},"Nengajo are basically post cards. They look something like this:",[135,1515],{"src":1516,"width":1517,"height":138,"alt":1518},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-nengajo-front.webp",1504,"A graphic showing what Japanese's Nengajo cards look like",[10,1520,1521],{},"Most will feature some sort of celebratory statement. Some will be just text, while others may include an image.",[10,1523,1524,1525,1528],{},"You don't ",[23,1526,1527],{},"need"," to write anything on the nengajo—the well-wish is already there—but if you want to, here are two phrases that you'll often hear during this time of the year:",[85,1530,1531,1540],{},[88,1532,1533,192,1536,1539],{},[42,1534],{"lang":44,"syntax":1535},"明[あ,あける]けまして おめでとうございます。",[48,1537],{"src":1538,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_明けましておめでとうございます.mp3","\n — \"Happy New Year\"\n",[88,1541,1542,192,1545,1548],{},[42,1543],{"lang":44,"syntax":1544},"今年[ことし] も よろしく お願[おねが]い します。",[48,1546],{"src":1547,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_今年もよろしくお願いします。.mp3","\n — \"Looking forward for the year to come\"\n",[10,1550,1551],{},"If you enjoy calligraphy, you can also make your own cards. Here's a Japanese artist walking through the do's and don't of making one. The video is in Japanese, but it's clear enough that you can mostly follow along just by watching what he's doing.",[1553,1554],"custom-iframe",{"src":1555},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FqzmGZcF8yb4?si=mcIyHqvDgNdNprW",[145,1557,1559],{"id":1558},"how-to-address-a-nengajo","How to address a nengajo",[10,1561,1562],{},"The back of a nengajo card looks like this:",[135,1564],{"src":1565,"width":1566,"height":1567,"alt":1568},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-nengajo-back.webp",1794,872,"A graphic showing how to address a nengajo",[10,1570,1571],{},"Like most postcards, they don't require an envelope to send. Instead, you'll write this information directly on the card:",[724,1573,1574,1576,1578,1581,1584,1587],{},[88,1575,1146],{},[88,1577,1156],{},[88,1579,1580],{},"Your postal code",[88,1582,1583],{},"The recipient's postal code",[88,1585,1586],{},"The recipient's address",[88,1588,1589],{},"The recipient's name + 様",[10,1591,1592],{},"These should be written in three different sizes of font:",[85,1594,1595,1598,1601],{},[88,1596,1597],{},"Big font — the recipient's name",[88,1599,1600],{},"Medium font — the recipient's name\u002Faddress",[88,1602,1603],{},"Small font — your name and address",[10,1605,1606,1607,1610],{},"As these are already addressed, you can simply drop them off at any post office or post box. Make sure to send this ",[239,1608,1609],{},"before December 25th",", as mail sent later than this date will not be delivered until January 1st (which is too late).",[77,1612,1614],{"id":1613},"where-to-go-for-japanese-writing-practice","Where to go for Japanese writing practice",[10,1616,1617],{},"If you don't know any Japanese people to write with, here are two ways you can find pen-pals and practice writing in Japanese:",[145,1619,1621],{"id":1620},"use-the-slowly-app","Use the \"Slowly\" app",[10,1623,1624,1629],{},[17,1625,1628],{"href":1626,"rel":1627},"https:\u002F\u002Fslowly.app\u002F",[131],"Slowly",", available on iOS and Android, is an app to send postcards digitally. The catch is that while you can see when you have mail on the way, you can't open them until the same amount of time it would take to ship a real postcard from your location to the recipient's location has passed.",[10,1631,1632],{},"Additionally, unlike most chat apps, you cannot upload photos to Slowly. You choose an avatar, your nationality, your interests, and the languages you speak, write an optional bio, and that's it. The system then lets you browse a list of people who speak or are learning your languages. Once you find someone you like, you get to write them a postcard! You've now got a few friends and a reason to improve your Japanese writing skills.",[1263,1634,1635],{},[10,1636,1637],{},"Postcards are relatively informal, so you can follow the \"very casual letter\" instructions listed above.",[135,1639],{"src":1640,"width":1641,"height":1642,"alt":1643},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-slowly.webp",1646,906,"A screenshot of Slowly's landing page",[145,1645,1647],{"id":1646},"write-entries-on-langcorrect","Write entries on Langcorrect",[10,1649,1650,1651,1656],{},"Writing letters in Japanese isn't the explicit focus of ",[17,1652,1655],{"href":1653,"rel":1654},"https:\u002F\u002Flangcorrect.com\u002F",[131],"Langcorrect",", but you can use it for that purpose. Its a website that is intended to help people become better writers in their target language. It's pretty straightforward:",[724,1658,1659,1662,1665],{},[88,1660,1661],{},"You submit texts in your target language",[88,1663,1664],{},"Native speakers correct it",[88,1666,1667],{},"There's some basic formatting to make it easy to see the changes made to your initial text",[10,1669,1670],{},"The \"strategy\" here is to be generous about correcting the texts of people who speak your target language. Some will reciprocate, and before long you'll have a small pool of people that you exchange with on a regular basis.",[10,1672,1673],{},"I use Langcorrect for Mandarin, not Japanese, but you can see how it works below:",[135,1675],{"src":1676,"width":1677,"height":1678,"alt":1679},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-langcorrect.webp",2652,1758,"A screenshot of a text being corrected on Langcorrect",[74,1681],{},[77,1683,1685],{"id":1684},"but-i-dont-speak-japanese-yet","But... I don't speak Japanese (yet)!",[10,1687,1688],{},"You now know more about Japanese letters and letter-writing etiquette than some Japanese people do.",[10,1690,1691],{},"Now you just have to sit down and write your letter.",[10,1693,1694],{},"If you don't feel as confident as you'd like to in Japanese—or perhaps you've never used Japanese honorific language before, so the language used in formal letters and emails scares you—check out Migaku. Our in-depth beginner's course will take you from zero to a point where you can confidently use Japanese to do the things that matter to you.",[1696,1697],"prose-button",{"href":19,"text":1698},"Learn Japanese with Migaku",[77,1700,1702],{"id":1701},"cheatsheet-vocabulary-about-japanese-letters","[Cheatsheet] Vocabulary about Japanese letters",[10,1704,1705],{},"This article includes a lot of vocabulary that you might not have heard before. Here's the key vocabulary we used in one place, for easy reference.",[145,1707,1709],{"id":1708},"the-anatomy-of-a-letter","The anatomy of a letter",[1711,1712,1713,1735],"table",{},[1714,1715,1716],"thead",{},[1717,1718,1719,1723,1726,1729,1732],"tr",{},[1720,1721,1722],"th",{},"JA word",[1720,1724,1725],{},"Hiragana",[1720,1727,1728],{},"Romaji",[1720,1730,1731],{},"Audio",[1720,1733,1734],{},"EN word",[1736,1737,1738,1756,1775,1793,1812,1830,1848,1866],"tbody",{},[1717,1739,1740,1744,1747,1750,1754],{},[1741,1742,1743],"td",{},"手紙",[1741,1745,1746],{},"てがみ",[1741,1748,1749],{},"tegami",[1741,1751,1752],{},[48,1753],{"src":50,":type":51},[1741,1755,39],{},[1717,1757,1758,1761,1764,1767,1772],{},[1741,1759,1760],{},"封筒",[1741,1762,1763],{},"ふうとう",[1741,1765,1766],{},"fuutou",[1741,1768,1769],{},[48,1770],{"src":1771,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_封筒.mp3",[1741,1773,1774],{},"envelope",[1717,1776,1777,1780,1783,1786,1790],{},[1741,1778,1779],{},"年賀状",[1741,1781,1782],{},"ねんがじょう",[1741,1784,1785],{},"nengajou",[1741,1787,1788],{},[48,1789],{"src":1496,":type":51},[1741,1791,1792],{},"New Year's card",[1717,1794,1795,1798,1801,1804,1809],{},[1741,1796,1797],{},"~",[1741,1799,1800],{},"Ｅメール",[1741,1802,1803],{},"E me-ru",[1741,1805,1806],{},[48,1807],{"src":1808,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_Ｅメール.mp3",[1741,1810,1811],{},"email",[1717,1813,1814,1817,1820,1823,1827],{},[1741,1815,1816],{},"前文",[1741,1818,1819],{},"ぜんぶん",[1741,1821,1822],{},"zenbun",[1741,1824,1825],{},[48,1826],{"src":96,":type":51},[1741,1828,1829],{},"opening section",[1717,1831,1832,1835,1838,1841,1845],{},[1741,1833,1834],{},"主文",[1741,1836,1837],{},"しゅぶん",[1741,1839,1840],{},"shubun",[1741,1842,1843],{},[48,1844],{"src":105,":type":51},[1741,1846,1847],{},"letter body",[1717,1849,1850,1853,1856,1859,1863],{},[1741,1851,1852],{},"末文",[1741,1854,1855],{},"まつぶん",[1741,1857,1858],{},"matsubun",[1741,1860,1861],{},[48,1862],{"src":114,":type":51},[1741,1864,1865],{},"closing section",[1717,1867,1868,1871,1874,1877,1881],{},[1741,1869,1870],{},"後付",[1741,1872,1873],{},"あとづけ",[1741,1875,1876],{},"atodzuke",[1741,1878,1879],{},[48,1880],{"src":123,":type":51},[1741,1882,1883],{},"appendix",[145,1885,1887],{"id":1886},"the-components-of-a-letter","The components of a letter",[1711,1889,1890,1904],{},[1714,1891,1892],{},[1717,1893,1894,1896,1898,1900,1902],{},[1720,1895,1722],{},[1720,1897,1725],{},[1720,1899,1728],{},[1720,1901,1731],{},[1720,1903,1734],{},[1736,1905,1906,1924,1942,1960,1978,1996,2015,2033,2051,2069],{},[1717,1907,1908,1911,1914,1917,1921],{},[1741,1909,1910],{},"頭語",[1741,1912,1913],{},"とうご",[1741,1915,1916],{},"tougo",[1741,1918,1919],{},[48,1920],{"src":173,":type":51},[1741,1922,1923],{},"opening words",[1717,1925,1926,1929,1932,1935,1939],{},[1741,1927,1928],{},"時候の挨拶",[1741,1930,1931],{},"じこうのあいさつ",[1741,1933,1934],{},"jikou no aisatsu",[1741,1936,1937],{},[48,1938],{"src":273,":type":51},[1741,1940,1941],{},"seasonal greeting",[1717,1943,1944,1947,1950,1953,1957],{},[1741,1945,1946],{},"起語",[1741,1948,1949],{},"きご",[1741,1951,1952],{},"kigo",[1741,1954,1955],{},[48,1956],{"src":449,":type":51},[1741,1958,1959],{},"transition words",[1717,1961,1962,1965,1968,1971,1975],{},[1741,1963,1964],{},"本文",[1741,1966,1967],{},"ほんぶん",[1741,1969,1970],{},"honbun",[1741,1972,1973],{},[48,1974],{"src":463,":type":51},[1741,1976,1977],{},"text (of a letter)",[1717,1979,1980,1983,1986,1989,1993],{},[1741,1981,1982],{},"結びの挨拶",[1741,1984,1985],{},"むすびのあいさつ",[1741,1987,1988],{},"musubi no aisatsu",[1741,1990,1991],{},[48,1992],{"src":531,":type":51},[1741,1994,1995],{},"closing expression",[1717,1997,1998,2001,2004,2007,2012],{},[1741,1999,2000],{},"結語",[1741,2002,2003],{},"けつご",[1741,2005,2006],{},"ketsugo",[1741,2008,2009],{},[48,2010],{"src":2011,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_結語.mp3",[1741,2013,2014],{},"closing words",[1717,2016,2017,2020,2023,2026,2030],{},[1741,2018,2019],{},"日付",[1741,2021,2022],{},"ひづけ",[1741,2024,2025],{},"hidzuke",[1741,2027,2028],{},[48,2029],{"src":663,":type":51},[1741,2031,2032],{},"date",[1717,2034,2035,2038,2041,2044,2048],{},[1741,2036,2037],{},"署名",[1741,2039,2040],{},"しょめい",[1741,2042,2043],{},"shomei",[1741,2045,2046],{},[48,2047],{"src":707,":type":51},[1741,2049,2050],{},"signature",[1717,2052,2053,2056,2059,2062,2066],{},[1741,2054,2055],{},"宛名",[1741,2057,2058],{},"あてな",[1741,2060,2061],{},"atena",[1741,2063,2064],{},[48,2065],{"src":721,":type":51},[1741,2067,2068],{},"name and address",[1717,2070,2071,2074,2077,2080,2084],{},[1741,2072,2073],{},"追伸",[1741,2075,2076],{},"ついしん",[1741,2078,2079],{},"tsuishin",[1741,2081,2082],{},[48,2083],{"src":790,":type":51},[1741,2085,2086],{},"postscript",[145,2088,2090],{"id":2089},"vocabulary-related-to-japanese-addresses","Vocabulary related to Japanese addresses",[1711,2092,2093,2107],{},[1714,2094,2095],{},[1717,2096,2097,2099,2101,2103,2105],{},[1720,2098,1722],{},[1720,2100,1725],{},[1720,2102,1728],{},[1720,2104,1731],{},[1720,2106,1734],{},[1736,2108,2109,2127,2145,2164,2182,2200,2218,2236,2254],{},[1717,2110,2111,2114,2117,2120,2124],{},[1741,2112,2113],{},"国",[1741,2115,2116],{},"くに",[1741,2118,2119],{},"kuni",[1741,2121,2122],{},[48,2123],{"src":977,":type":51},[1741,2125,2126],{},"country",[1717,2128,2129,2132,2135,2138,2142],{},[1741,2130,2131],{},"郵便番号",[1741,2133,2134],{},"ゆうびんばんごう",[1741,2136,2137],{},"yuubin bangou",[1741,2139,2140],{},[48,2141],{"src":990,":type":51},[1741,2143,2144],{},"postal code",[1717,2146,2147,2150,2153,2156,2161],{},[1741,2148,2149],{},"都道府県",[1741,2151,2152],{},"とどうふけん",[1741,2154,2155],{},"todoufuken",[1741,2157,2158],{},[48,2159],{"src":2160,":type":51},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_都道府県.mp3",[1741,2162,2163],{},"capital\u002Fdistrict\u002Furban prefecture\u002Fprefecture",[1717,2165,2166,2169,2172,2175,2179],{},[1741,2167,2168],{},"~市",[1741,2170,2171],{},"~し",[1741,2173,2174],{},"~shi",[1741,2176,2177],{},[48,2178],{"src":1031,":type":51},[1741,2180,2181],{},"~ city",[1717,2183,2184,2187,2190,2193,2197],{},[1741,2185,2186],{},"~区",[1741,2188,2189],{},"く",[1741,2191,2192],{},"ku",[1741,2194,2195],{},[48,2196],{"src":1043,":type":51},[1741,2198,2199],{},"~ ward (in Tokyo) \u002F ~ district (elsewhere)",[1717,2201,2202,2205,2208,2211,2215],{},[1741,2203,2204],{},"~町",[1741,2206,2207],{},"~ちょう\u002F~まち",[1741,2209,2210],{},"chou\u002Fmachi",[1741,2212,2213],{},[48,2214],{"src":1050,":type":51},[1741,2216,2217],{},"~ town",[1717,2219,2220,2223,2226,2229,2233],{},[1741,2221,2222],{},"~村",[1741,2224,2225],{},"むら",[1741,2227,2228],{},"~mura",[1741,2230,2231],{},[48,2232],{"src":1057,":type":51},[1741,2234,2235],{},"~ village",[1717,2237,2238,2241,2244,2247,2251],{},[1741,2239,2240],{},"丁目",[1741,2242,2243],{},"ちょうめ",[1741,2245,2246],{},"choume",[1741,2248,2249],{},[48,2250],{"src":1069,":type":51},[1741,2252,2253],{},"city block",[1717,2255,2256,2259,2262,2265,2269],{},[1741,2257,2258],{},"#号",[1741,2260,2261],{},"#ごう",[1741,2263,2264],{},"#gou",[1741,2266,2267],{},[48,2268],{"src":1078,":type":51},[1741,2270,2271],{},"building\u002Fapartment #",{"title":2273,"searchDepth":2274,"depth":2274,"links":2275},"",2,[2276,2284,2288,2292,2300,2304,2308,2309],{"id":79,"depth":2274,"text":80,"children":2277},[2278,2280,2281,2282,2283],{"id":147,"depth":2279,"text":148},3,{"id":391,"depth":2279,"text":392},{"id":509,"depth":2279,"text":510},{"id":638,"depth":2279,"text":639},{"id":793,"depth":2279,"text":794},{"id":828,"depth":2274,"text":829,"children":2285},[2286,2287],{"id":838,"depth":2279,"text":839},{"id":1108,"depth":2279,"text":1109},{"id":1160,"depth":2274,"text":1161,"children":2289},[2290,2291],{"id":1178,"depth":2279,"text":1179},{"id":1192,"depth":2279,"text":1193},{"id":1246,"depth":2274,"text":1247,"children":2293},[2294,2295,2296,2297,2298,2299],{"id":1273,"depth":2279,"text":1274},{"id":1290,"depth":2279,"text":1291},{"id":1325,"depth":2279,"text":1326},{"id":1392,"depth":2279,"text":1393},{"id":1410,"depth":2279,"text":1411},{"id":1443,"depth":2279,"text":1444},{"id":1486,"depth":2274,"text":1487,"children":2301},[2302,2303],{"id":1509,"depth":2279,"text":1510},{"id":1558,"depth":2279,"text":1559},{"id":1613,"depth":2274,"text":1614,"children":2305},[2306,2307],{"id":1620,"depth":2279,"text":1621},{"id":1646,"depth":2279,"text":1647},{"id":1684,"depth":2274,"text":1685},{"id":1701,"depth":2274,"text":1702,"children":2310},[2311,2312,2313],{"id":1708,"depth":2279,"text":1709},{"id":1886,"depth":2279,"text":1887},{"id":2089,"depth":2279,"text":2090},"Dive into the art of Japanese letter writing with our complete guide. Understand traditional formats, etiquette, and essential phrases to create meaningful and respectful correspondence.","md",{"timestampUnix":2317,"slug":2318,"h1":2319,"image":2320,"tags":2325},1730778213273,"comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide","Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Letter Writing",{"src":2321,"width":2322,"height":2323,"alt":2324},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese-woman-writing-letter.webp",6225,4150,"A young Japanese woman writing a letter.",[2326,2327,2328],"culture","vocabulary","deepdive",true,"\u002Farticle\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-letter-comprehensive","---\ntitle: 'Comprehensive Japanese Letter Writing Guide: Styles, Etiquette, and Key Phrases'\ndescription: 'Dive into the art of Japanese letter writing with our complete guide. Understand traditional formats, etiquette, and essential phrases to create meaningful and respectful correspondence.'\ntimestampUnix: 1730778213273\nslug: comprehensive-japanese-letter-writing-guide\nh1: 'Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Letter Writing'\nimage:\n  src: '\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese-woman-writing-letter.webp'\n  width: 6225\n  height: 4150\n  alt: 'A young Japanese woman writing a letter.'\ntags:\n  - culture\n  - vocabulary\n  - deepdive\n---\n\nIn Japan, as with the rest of the world, it's become less common to send people handwritten letters. Most written communication happens via text messages, social media, and emails.\n\nWith this in mind, while you definitely don't need to know how to write a letter to [learn Japanese](\u002Flearn-japanese).... there _are_ situations where it would be appropriate to write someone a letter by hand. Plus, it's kind of cool. And hey, sometimes, you just want to write a letter. (We want you to send that love letter, too. We're rooting for you!)\n\nIn this article we'll start by walking through the structure of a _formal_ letter in detail. While you likely won't write a letter like this, if you learn how to write one, it'll make it easy to understand how more informal letters, business emails, and even things like postcards work, too.\n\nOh, and before we get too far along — the Japanese word for _letter_ is \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"手紙[てがみ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_手紙.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>.\n\n_Note: There are three Japanese writing systems. This blog post assumes that you can already [read hiragana](\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fthe-japanese-language-hiragana) and understand [how kanji work](\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fhow-to-learn-kanji)._\n\nWe'll get into:\n\n\u003Ctoc>\u003C\u002Ftoc>\n\n---\n\n## Japanese letter format (formal letter)\n\nGenerally speaking, a \"proper\" Japanese letter has ten key components and can be broken down into four sections:\n\n- An opening section, called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前文[ぜんぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F前文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n- The body, called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"主文[しゅぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F主文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n- A closing section, called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"末文[まつぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F末文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n- The appendix, called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"後付[あとづけ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F後付.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n\nYou can see these sections outlined in the below example ([source](https:\u002F\u002Ffudemame.net\u002Ffudemamenet\u002Ffudemamedia\u002Fhagaki\u002F03\u002F)):\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku_formal_letter1.webp\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1030\" alt=\"A graphic shows that a Japanese letter can be broken down into the opening, main part, closing phrase, and appendix.\" \u002F>\n\nAnd now we'll explore each of those sections.\n\n### The opening section\n\nThe opening part of a letter is called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前文[ぜんぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F前文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, and it is comprised of two components.\n\n#### 1. Opening words\n\nTo start a letter, insert a\n\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"頭語[とうご]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F頭語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>: an opening expression. The most standard expression is \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝啓[はいけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_拝啓.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, and it roughly corresponds to \"dear\" or \"to whom it may concern\" in English.\n\nA few other opening words you may sometimes use:\n\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"謹啓[きんけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_謹啓.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — This is like \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝啓[はいけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> but more polite, suitable for use when writing to customers or your boss\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前略[ぜんりゃく]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-前略.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — This means \"skipping the preliminaries\" and is used when writing about urgent matters or sending condolences; see the \"seasonal greetings\" section for more information\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝復[はいふく]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_拝復.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — This is used when you are _responding_ to a letter that someone has sent to you\n- Several more of these can be seen [here](https:\u002F\u002Fletter.midori-japan.co.jp\u002Fletter-manners\u002Ftougo-ketsugo\u002F), in Japanese\n\nTwo quick notes:\n\n- **Name placement** — While English letters begin with _dear {name}_, Japanese letters basically just say _dear_. The name of the recipient goes on the envelope and at the end of the letter, but _not_ in the beginning of the letter.\n- **Word pairs** — Opening and closing words actually come in pairs, meaning that if you open a letter with Opening Words A, you must close the letter with Closing Words A. See the below section on \"closing words\" to see the phrases that correspond with the above opening words.\n\n#### 2. A seasonal greeting\n\nIn Japanese culture, it's customary to offer a brief greeting that alludes to the season at hand before you get into the main body of the letter. Called a \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"時候[じこう] の 挨拶[あいさつ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F時候の挨拶.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, these are pleasant in tone, somewhat poetic, and include a wish for the good health of the person you're writing to.\n\nHere are a few sample greetings that I found in letters online:\n\n- **Spring greetings**\n  - JA: \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"桜[さくら] も いつしか 盛[さか]り を 過[す,すぎる]ぎました が{、}お 健[すこ]やか に お過[おす]ごし の こと と お 喜[よろこ]び 申し上[もうしあ,もうしあげる]げます{。}\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_springgreetings1.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  - EN: \"The cherry blossoms have already passed their peak, yet I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits.\"\n- **Summer greetings**\n  - JA: \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"梅雨[つゆ] 明[あ,あける]けて 息[いき] つく 間[ま]もなく この 暑[あつ]さ{、}お 元気[げんき] で お過[おす]ごし でしょう か\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_summergreetings.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  - EN: \"The rainy season has just ended, yet there’s hardly a moment to catch our breath before this intense heat arrives. I hope you are keeping well.\"\n- **Fall greetings**\n  - JA: \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"日に日[ひにひ]に 秋[あき] が 深[ふか,ふかまる]まって 参[まい,まいる]りました が{、}お 変[か,かわる]わり ありません でしょう か\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_fallgreeting.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  - EN: \"As the days go by, autumn is deepening, and I hope you are doing well.\"\n- **Winter greetings**\n  - JA: \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"大寒[だいかん] を 迎[むか,むかえる]え、寒[さむ,さむい]さ が 厳[きび,きびしい]しさ を 増[ま,ます]して お[,おる]ります が、ご 清祥[せいしょう] に お 暮[く,くらす]らし でしょう か。\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002FExample_Sentence_1.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  - EN: \"As we enter the coldest season of the year, the weather is getting colder and colder, and I hope that you are living in good health.\"\n\nThere are many customary seasonal words and phrases, such as those shown [here](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.akitem.co.jp\u002Fmame\u002FMC3.htm) (_link in Japanese_). You can use them to build your own greeting.\n\n_Note: When sending condolences, the seasonal greeting is typically skipped, thus letting the letter's focus revolve entirely around your sympathies. In these cases, open the letter with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前略[ぜんりゃく]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-前略.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> (\"skipping the preliminaries\") or \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前略[ぜんりゃく] 失礼[しつれい]いたします\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-前略失礼いたします.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> (\"my sincerest apologies for skipping the preliminaries\") , say what you have to say, and then close the letter with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"早々[そうそう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-早々.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> (\"apologies for the brevity\")._\n\n### The body \u002F main part of your message\n\nSalutations out of the way, we may now move on to the main part of the letter, called the \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"主文[しゅぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F主文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>. Just like in English, this is the part of the letter where you say whatever it is that you have to say.\n\n#### 3. Transition\n\nIt would be somewhat jarring to jump straight from \"the cherry blossoms have already begun to wilt\" to \"I blew a tire out on the highway and was thus, regretfully, unable to attend the...\", so Japanese people add a bit of cushion between the seasonal greeting and letter body.\n\nHere are a few common transitional phrases that you can use in letters and also in normal communication:\n\n- さて \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_さて.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Well; now; then\n- このたび \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_このたび.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — recently; on this occasion\n- 早速ですが \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_早速ですが.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — without further ado\n- Several more examples [here](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.letter110.net\u002Fyougo\u002Fshubun.html), in Japanese\n\nYou may either use these words (called \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"起語[きご]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_起語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) and write an entire transitional sentence, or you may follow your chosen word\u002Fphrase with a comma and then proceed directly to the body of your letter.\n\n#### 4. The body\n\nHere, in the \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"本文[ほんぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_本文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, you may share your message. How you go about writing it depends on your relationship with the addressee, but given that this is a _formal_ letter, it will likely be somewhat elevated in style, and also use [polite language](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese#Polite_language)\n(\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"丁寧語[ていねいご]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_丁寧語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) and [beautified words](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese#Word_beautification) (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"美化語[びかご]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_美化語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>), if not full-blown [honorific language](https:\u002F\u002Fimabi.org\u002Fhonorifics-vi-regular-verbs\u002F) (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"敬語[けいご]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_敬語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>).\n\n### The closing section\n\nThe final portion of a Japanese letter, the\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"末文[まつぶん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F末文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, is a bit more complex than that of an English letter, but not by much. It contains two parts.\n\n#### 5. A closing expression\n\nThe closing expression (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"結[むす]び の 挨拶[あいさつ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_結びの挨拶.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) is a counterpart to the seasonal greeting you used to begin the letter. Here, you express your wishes for the addressee's health and happiness. If in a business context, you should convey your hopes for the company's prosperity and success.\n\nYour letter might include a closing line such as:\n\n- それでは、・・・\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_それでは.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — \"well then\", followed by whatever you'd like to say in closing\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"今後[こんご] とも よろしく お 願い[ねが,ねがい]いたします\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_今後ともよろしくお願いいたします.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — \"Thank you for your continued support moving forward\" (you'll hear this a lot in Japan!)\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"ますます の ご 活躍[かつやく] を お 祈り[いの,いのり] します\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_ますますのご活躍をお祈りします.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — \"Wishing you continued success in all your endeavors.\"\n- Several more examples available [here](https:\u002F\u002Fletter.midori-japan.co.jp\u002Fspecial\u002Fphrase\u002Fphrase-musubi\u002F), in Japanese\n\n#### 6. Closing words\n\nJust as the closing expression corresponds to the seasonal phrase, the closing words correspond to the opening words. In our opening words example we used with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝啓[はいけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_拝啓.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, so here we should close with its counterpart, \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"敬具[けいぐ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F敬具.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, which can be translated as \"yours truly.\"\n\nAs mentioned in that earlier section, opening words and closing words come in pairs. Here are some other common word pairs you might use:\n\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"謹言[きんげん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_謹言.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Use when you open your letter with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"謹啓[きんけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"早々[そうそう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-早々.mp3\" :type=\"3\"> \u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Use when you open your letter with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前略[ぜんりゃく]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> or \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"前略[ぜんりゃく] 失礼[しつれい]いたします\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"敬具[けいぐ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F敬具.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Use when you begin a letter with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝復[はいふく]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> _(yes, this is the same closing word as was used with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"拝啓[はいけい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>)_\n- Several more of these can be seen [here](https:\u002F\u002Fletter.midori-japan.co.jp\u002Fletter-manners\u002Ftougo-ketsugo\u002F), in Japanese\n\n### The appendix\n\nThe appendix, the\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"後付[あとづけ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F後付.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, is where all of the \"extra\" information goes. It includes four parts.\n\nNote that the spacing\u002Fplacement of these elements may be different than you expect, so be sure to refer to the sample letter at the top of this article.\n\n#### 7. The date\n\nList out the date (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"日付[ひづけ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F日付.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>).\n\nNote that Japan has [their own calendar system based on the Japanese eras](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJapanese_era_name#Modern_Japan), and you should use that here, not our Western calendar. As such, you should write:\n\n- ❌ \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"{ 2024 }年[ねん] { 10 }月[がつ]{ } 07日[なのか]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_2024年10月07日.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — October 10th, 2024\n- ✅ \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"令和[れいわ] { 06 }年[ねん] { 10 }月[がつ]{ } 07日[なのか]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_令和06年10月07日.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — October 10th of the 6th year of the Reiwa era\n\n#### 8. Your signature\n\nAdd your signature (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"署名[しょめい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F署名.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>). Note that if you write your name in Japanese, your family name should be placed before your given name.\n\n#### 9. The addressee's name\n\nFinally, you list the addressee\u002Frecipient (the \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"宛名[あてな]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F宛名.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>). This requires three steps:\n\n1. Write your addressee's name: family name first, given name second\n2. † Attach the suffix \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"様[さま]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_さま.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> to their name\n3. On the next line, next to the suffix, write \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"侍史[じし]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_侍史.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> (_\"with all due respect\"_)—or, if you know what you're doing, [your respectful term of choice](https:\u002F\u002Fgeki-fu.com\u002Fgf\u002Fpage\u002Farticle\u002Foyakudachi\u002Ftrivia\u002F65\u002F#:~:text=%E7%88%B6%E3%82%84%E6%AF%8D%E3%81%AB%E5%AE%9B%E3%81%A6,%E3%81%AA%E8%84%87%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%81%8C%E3%81%82%E3%82%8A%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82) (called a \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"脇付け[わきづけ,わきづ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_脇付け.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>)\n\nAgain, be sure to refer to the image above, as the placement of these three elements may not be intuitive if you haven't written a Japanese letter before.\n\n_† While \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"様[さま]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> may sound overly formal in speech, it is the standard suffix used in formal writing. It is even used if the person you are writing to you is younger in age and lower in status._\n\n#### 10. (Optional) The post script\n\nAny supplementary information that you'd like to include but don't feel should go in the letter body may be placed here.\n\nIn Japanese, this is called the \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"追伸[ついしん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_追伸.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>.\n\n### A few notes about formal letters\n\nIf you're going to go to the trouble of writing a formal Japanese letter, you might also want to:\n\n1. **Write vertically** — Formal letters are written vertically: you begin writing in the top-right portion of the page, work your way down, move one line to the left when you reach the bottom, and then continue on in this fashion until you eventually reach the bottom-left portion of the page\n2. **Use \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"和紙[わし]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_和紙.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, [traditional Japanese paper](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FWashi)** — Washi is made by hand from the bark of a specific tree and is used in many traditional Japanese arts, such as origami and calligraphy\n\n---\n\n## How to address an envelope\n\nWe've now got your letter, but you didn't write it to look pretty on your coffee table. It's time to send it!\n\nHere's everything you need to know about Japanese envelopes and addresses to get your letter to its destination.\n\n### The front of the envelope\n\nHere's what the front of a Japanese envelope looks like:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese_envelope_front.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1020\" alt=\"A graphic showing what the front of a Japanese envelope looks like.\" \u002F>\n\nYou'll fill this out as follows:\n\n1. **Stamp** — Place the stamp (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"切手[きって]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_切手.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) in the top-left corner of the envelope\n\n2. **Postal code** — Place the recipient's 7-digit postal code alongside the top-right corner of the envelope ([here's a tool to look up Japanese postal codes](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.japanpostalcode.net\u002F))\n\n3. **Spacing** —Mind the spacing! There should be some white space between the postal code and the top of the envelope, a similar amount of space between the postal code and the recipient's address, and a larger space between the postal code and the recipient's name\n\n4. **Recipient's address** — Write the recipient's address on the right side of the envelope\n\n5. **Recipient's name** — Write the recipient's name in the _family-name → first-name_ format; use a larger font size than you did for the address\n\n#### Which suffix to use with the recipient's name\n\nAs mentioned in step 9 above, you should attach an honorific suffix to the recipient's name. If in doubt, \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"様[さま]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_さま.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a safe option. It is considered standard and can be used with anyone, regardless of their relationship to you.\n\n様 aside, here are a few other suffixes you might also see:\n\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"御中[おんちゅう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_御中.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Featuring 中 (middle\u002Famongst), this suffix is used to address an organization or group of people, and is what you'd use if submitting a job application\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"行[ぎょう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_行.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> or \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"宛[あて]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_宛.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — These can be used interchangeably and would be attached to your own name on a self-addressed envelope (of course, make sure you also include a return address)\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"先生[せんせい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-先生.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — Literally meaning \"teacher\", this can be used in letters to teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy, authors, or such people\n- A few more specific suffixes can be found [here](https:\u002F\u002Ftownwork.net\u002Fmagazine\u002Fskill\u002F124881\u002F#:~:text=%E3%80%8C%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81%E7%89%B9%E5%AE%9A%E3%81%AE%E5%80%8B%E4%BA%BA%E3%81%AB%E4%BD%BF%E3%81%86,-%E3%80%8C%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%81%AF%E3%80%81&text=%E3%80%8C%E5%BE%A1%E4%B8%AD%E3%80%8D%E3%81%A8%E5%90%8C%E3%81%98%E3%82%88%E3%81%86%E3%81%AB,%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B%E3%81%AE%E3%81%AF%E9%96%93%E9%81%95%E3%81%84%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%80%82&text=%E5%AE%9B%E5%85%88%E3%81%8C%E8%A4%87%E6%95%B0%E5%90%8D%E3%81%AE,%E6%A7%98%E3%80%8D%E3%82%92%E4%BB%98%E3%81%91%E3%81%BE%E3%81%97%E3%82%87%E3%81%86%E3%80%82), in Japanese\n\n#### How Japanese addresses work\n\nJapanese addresses are organized so that the biggest area comes first, with the caveat being that the postal code is listed first (instead of last, as in the USA).\n\nHere are the components of a Japanese address, in order:\n\n- † Country (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"国[くに]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_国.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) _(this may be omitted when sending mail domestically within Japan)_\n- 7-digit postal code (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"郵便番号[ゆうびんばんごう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_郵便番号.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) in the format 〒###-####\n- Prefecture + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"都[と]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_都.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"道[どう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_とう.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"府[ふ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_府.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> or \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"県[けん]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_県.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> _(different prefectures use different ones)_\n- City name + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"市[し]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_市.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> _(skip this if the city is Tokyo)_\n- City district name + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"区[く]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_区.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, county city name +\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"町[ちょう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_ちょう.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, or village name + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"村[むら]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_村.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> _(it depends on the size of your city)_\n- District section + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"丁目[ちょうめ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_丁目.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n- Building\u002Fapartment number (usually with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"号[ごう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_号.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>)\n\nPutting all that together, here's the address of [Waseda University](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FWaseda_University):\n\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"日本[にほん]{、〒 169-8050 }東京都[とうきょうと;n3] 新宿[しんじゅく;h] 区[く;o] 戸塚[とつか] 町[まち;o]{１}丁目[ちょうめ;n3]{１０４}\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_wasedaaddress.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n- Japan, 〒 169-8050, Tokyo Metropolis, Shinjuku District, Totsuka Town, 1st ward, 104\n\n_† If you are sending a letter to Japan from overseas, write \"JAPAN\" at the bottom of the envelope so that the post office workers know where the letter should go. Upon entering Japan, Japanese post office workers will take the letter from there._\n\n### The back of the envelope\n\nHere's what the back of a standard Japanese envelope looks like:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese_letter_back.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1020\" alt=\"A graphic showing what the back of a Japanese envelope looks like.\" \u002F>\n\nYou'll fill this out as follows:\n\n6. **Date** — You may optionally list the date that you sealed the envelope; while not necessary, filling it out is considered to show that you pay attention to detail\n7. **Seal** — Most envelopes have a sticky tongue, just like our envelopes, or may be sealed with tape. As such, you don't need to do anything special here. _However_, if you want, you may write 寿 on the seal if the letter is for a wedding, or 賀 if it is for a holiday. More information about envelope seals can be found [here](https:\u002F\u002Fmail.quadient.com\u002Fja\u002Fblog\u002F20230526), in Japanese\n8. **Your name** — Again, remember to use the _family name → first name_ format\n9. **Your address** — Write your own address\n\n## Japanese letter format (casual letter)\n\nCongrats! You now know how to write and address a formal Japanese letter, in the event that you're ever feeling super fancy.\n\nMost of the time, though, you'll probably be sending letters that are more informal. Here, you have two options:\n\n1. Follow the same format as the formal letter, but write horizontally (as we do in English) and include the recipient's name at the top of the letter\n2. Do what we do in English — their name, body, your name\n\n### How to write a slightly less-formal letter\n\nHere's an example of a slightly less formal letter. As you can see, it has pretty much all of the parts of our formal letter above, but it's written from left to right and the recipient's name is on the page of the letter itself.\n\nRealistically, if you're going to all this trouble, though, you might as well just write a formal letter!\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002FJP_Letters.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"954\" alt=\"A graphic shows that a Japanese letter can be broken down into the opening, main part, closing phrase, and appendix.\" \u002F>\n\n### How to write a very casual letter\n\nThere is a \"proper\" way to write a letter, and you now know it... but people don't send \"proper\" letters very often. A few Japanese friends I consulted even told me that they didn't really know anything about letter-writing etiquette.\n\nThink about it: there's a proper way to arrange silverware on a dinner table, too, but how many of us actually own differently-sized spoons and forks, let alone know how to arrange them?\n\nYou'll more often find yourself scribbling a quick note to somebody, and in this case, you only need three things:\n\n- **Recipient's name + suffix + へ** — _Dear\u002Fto (person)_\n  - You can skip 様 and instead use さん, くん, or ちゃん, depending on how you typically address this person (more honorific suffixes [here](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJapanese_honorifics))\n- **Your letter body**\n- **Your name + より**　— _from (your name)_\n\nOf course, this isn't to say that you _can't_ include some of the elements of a formal letter. There are no rules! It's your letter. I personally recommend trying to include a seasonal greeting.\n\n## How to write a business email in Japanese\n\nThe format of Japanese business emails is quite similar to that of a formal letter, but there are three main differences:\n\n- There's no envelope, so the recipient's name goes in the email body\n- Time is money, so the lengthy sequence of opening phrases is skipped\n- Keigo is also used in the email, but it is formal and concise, rather than poetic\n\n> Keigo and email writing are also things that Japanese people have to learn upon entering the workforce, so if you enter do a Google search for ビジネスメール 書き方 (\"business mail how to write\"), there are tons of guides and templates you may copy\u002Freference.\n\nTo get started, here's a simple template you can use:\n\n### Email fields\n\nTo, CC, and BCC work in the same way as they do in English emails.\n\nThe subject line (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"件名[けんめい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_件名.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>) is also nothing special: do your best to be concise and descriptive.\n\n### The addressee's information\n\nIn the formal letter, we simply listed the addressee's name. In a business email, the name is broken into three lines:\n\n- The name of the recipient's company\n- The name of the recipient's department\n- The recipient's name + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"様[さま]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\n\nThe first line is not necessary if you are sending an email to someone in the same company, and you may also see the second line omitted, too.\n\n> If you're at a Japanese university and are writing to a professor, replace the above with a single line: professor's last name + \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"先生[せんせい]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-先生.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>.\n\nWhen you're done, insert a line break so that there is a space between this section and the next section.\n\n### The greeting\n\nThe greeting consists of two main lines, and they're quite fixed. You'll begin pretty much every email you ever write with these two short lines:\n\n- **Greeting (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"挨拶[あいさつ]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_挨拶.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>)**\n  - JA: \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"いつも お世話[おせわ] に なって おります{。}\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_いつもお世話になっております。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  - EN: Thank you for your continued support\n- **Self introduction (\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"名乗り[なのり,なの]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_名乗り.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>)**\n  - JA: (Company name)の(your name)です。\n  - EN: (Your name) from (company)\n\n> If contacting someone for the first time, replace the greeting line with \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"初[はじ]めて ご 連絡[れんらく] いたし[,いたす]ます{。}\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_初めてご連絡いたします.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, which literally means \"This is the first time I'm contacting you\" and is a respectful set phrase used to initiate contact.\n\nThe above two lines should be placed one after another. Next, insert a line break so that there is space between the greeting and email body.\n\n### The email body\n\nBegin by stating the reason you are contacting this person. You may use the same transitional phrases we mentioned in the email section to do this, such as さて (\"well; then\") or このたび (\"on this occasion\").\n\nNow you may say whatever it is you wish to say. Do your best to be concise, and use [honorific language](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FHonorific_speech_in_Japanese) to the best of your ability.\n\nUpon finishing, insert a line break so that there is some space between the email body and your closing line.\n\n### The closing\n\nThis is a single line to acknowledge that your message is coming to an end. There are [many phrases you may use](https:\u002F\u002Fblastmail.jp\u002Fblog\u002Fmail\u002Fbusinessmail-last) (_link in Japanese_), but here's a safe one that will always be OK:\n\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"今後[こんご] と も 何卒[なにとぞ] よろしく お願[おねが]い いたします。\">\u003C\u002Ftypo>\n      \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F今後とも何卒よろしくお願いいたします。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n  \u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\"I appreciate your continued cooperation\"\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\nWhen you're done, move to the next line and insert a divider to separate the body of your email from your signature.\n\n### Your signature\n\nJapanese signatures are very detailed, but the information is straightforward. Place each of the following pieces of information on a new line:\n\n- Your company name and your department name\n- Your name in _family name → first name_ format (_don't use 様 with your own name!!_)\n- Your company's postal code\n- Your company's physical or web address\n- Your work telephone number\u002Fextension\n- Your fax number, if you have one (and if you're working in Japan, you _will_ have one)\n- Your email address\n\nDifferent companies will do this differently, so if you are new, pay attention to the structure of your supervisor's signature.\n\n## Nengajo, postcards sent on New Year's\n\nRealistically, if most people send anything via snail mail, it will be a \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"年賀状[ねんがじょう]\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_年賀状.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>—a special postcard that people send on New Year's.\n\nYou can send nengajo to anyone, but they're conventionally sent to people who have somehow helped you in the past year. You should _not_ send them to people if one of their family members has died in the last year.\n\nIn December, you'll see these being sold in pretty much any store you walk into in Japan, from 7-11 to Daiso to the train station gift shop.\n\n### What nengajo cards look like\n\nNengajo are basically post cards. They look something like this:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-nengajo-front.webp\" width=\"1504\" height=\"1400\" alt=\"A graphic showing what Japanese's Nengajo cards look like\" \u002F>\n\nMost will feature some sort of celebratory statement. Some will be just text, while others may include an image.\n\nYou don't _need_ to write anything on the nengajo—the well-wish is already there—but if you want to, here are two phrases that you'll often hear during this time of the year:\n\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"明[あ,あける]けまして おめでとうございます。\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_明けましておめでとうございます.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — \"Happy New Year\"\n- \u003Ctypo lang=\"ja\" syntax=\"今年[ことし] も よろしく お願[おねが]い します。\">\u003C\u002Ftypo> \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_今年もよろしくお願いします。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> — \"Looking forward for the year to come\"\n\nIf you enjoy calligraphy, you can also make your own cards. Here's a Japanese artist walking through the do's and don't of making one. The video is in Japanese, but it's clear enough that you can mostly follow along just by watching what he's doing.\n\n\u003Ccustom-iframe src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FqzmGZcF8yb4?si=mcIyHqvDgNdNprW\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Fcustom-iframe>\n\n### How to address a nengajo\n\nThe back of a nengajo card looks like this:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-nengajo-back.webp\" width=\"1794\" height=\"872\" alt=\"A graphic showing how to address a nengajo\" \u002F>\n\nLike most postcards, they don't require an envelope to send. Instead, you'll write this information directly on the card:\n\n1. Your name\n2. Your address\n3. Your postal code\n4. The recipient's postal code\n5. The recipient's address\n6. The recipient's name + 様\n\nThese should be written in three different sizes of font:\n\n- Big font — the recipient's name\n- Medium font — the recipient's name\u002Faddress\n- Small font — your name and address\n\nAs these are already addressed, you can simply drop them off at any post office or post box. Make sure to send this **before December 25th**, as mail sent later than this date will not be delivered until January 1st (which is too late).\n\n## Where to go for Japanese writing practice\n\nIf you don't know any Japanese people to write with, here are two ways you can find pen-pals and practice writing in Japanese:\n\n### Use the \"Slowly\" app\n\n[Slowly](https:\u002F\u002Fslowly.app\u002F), available on iOS and Android, is an app to send postcards digitally. The catch is that while you can see when you have mail on the way, you can't open them until the same amount of time it would take to ship a real postcard from your location to the recipient's location has passed.\n\nAdditionally, unlike most chat apps, you cannot upload photos to Slowly. You choose an avatar, your nationality, your interests, and the languages you speak, write an optional bio, and that's it. The system then lets you browse a list of people who speak or are learning your languages. Once you find someone you like, you get to write them a postcard! You've now got a few friends and a reason to improve your Japanese writing skills.\n\n> Postcards are relatively informal, so you can follow the \"very casual letter\" instructions listed above.\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-slowly.webp\" width=\"1646\" height=\"906\" alt=\"A screenshot of Slowly's landing page\" \u002F>\n\n### Write entries on Langcorrect\n\nWriting letters in Japanese isn't the explicit focus of [Langcorrect](https:\u002F\u002Flangcorrect.com\u002F), but you can use it for that purpose. Its a website that is intended to help people become better writers in their target language. It's pretty straightforward:\n\n1. You submit texts in your target language\n2. Native speakers correct it\n3. There's some basic formatting to make it easy to see the changes made to your initial text\n\nThe \"strategy\" here is to be generous about correcting the texts of people who speak your target language. Some will reciprocate, and before long you'll have a small pool of people that you exchange with on a regular basis.\n\nI use Langcorrect for Mandarin, not Japanese, but you can see how it works below:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-langcorrect.webp\" width=\"2652\" height=\"1758\" alt=\"A screenshot of a text being corrected on Langcorrect\" \u002F>\n\n---\n\n## But... I don't speak Japanese (yet)!\n\nYou now know more about Japanese letters and letter-writing etiquette than some Japanese people do.\n\nNow you just have to sit down and write your letter.\n\nIf you don't feel as confident as you'd like to in Japanese—or perhaps you've never used Japanese honorific language before, so the language used in formal letters and emails scares you—check out Migaku. Our in-depth beginner's course will take you from zero to a point where you can confidently use Japanese to do the things that matter to you.\n\n\u003Cprose-button href=\"\u002Flearn-japanese\" text=\"Learn Japanese with Migaku\">\u003C\u002Fprose-button>\n\n## \\[Cheatsheet\\] Vocabulary about Japanese letters\n\nThis article includes a lot of vocabulary that you might not have heard before. Here's the key vocabulary we used in one place, for easy reference.\n\n### The anatomy of a letter\n\n| JA word | Hiragana     | Romaji   | Audio                                                                      | EN word         |\n| ------- | ------------ | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- |\n| 手紙    | てがみ       | tegami   | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_手紙.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>     | letter          |\n| 封筒    | ふうとう     | fuutou   | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_封筒.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>     | envelope        |\n| 年賀状  | ねんがじょう | nengajou | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_年賀状.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>   | New Year's card |\n| ~       | Ｅメール     | E me-ru  | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_Ｅメール.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | email           |\n| 前文    | ぜんぶん     | zenbun   | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F前文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>        | opening section |\n| 主文    | しゅぶん     | shubun   | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F主文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>        | letter body     |\n| 末文    | まつぶん     | matsubun | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F末文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>        | closing section |\n| 後付    | あとづけ     | atodzuke | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F後付.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>        | appendix        |\n\n### The components of a letter\n\n| JA word    | Hiragana         | Romaji            | Audio                                                                        | EN word            |\n| ---------- | ---------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ |\n| 頭語       | とうご           | tougo             | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F頭語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>          | opening words      |\n| 時候の挨拶 | じこうのあいさつ | jikou no aisatsu  | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F時候の挨拶.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>    | seasonal greeting  |\n| 起語       | きご             | kigo              | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_起語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | transition words   |\n| 本文       | ほんぶん         | honbun            | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_本文.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | text (of a letter) |\n| 結びの挨拶 | むすびのあいさつ | musubi no aisatsu | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_結びの挨拶.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | closing expression |\n| 結語       | けつご           | ketsugo           | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_結語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | closing words      |\n| 日付       | ひづけ           | hidzuke           | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F日付.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>          | date               |\n| 署名       | しょめい         | shomei            | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F署名.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>          | signature          |\n| 宛名       | あてな           | atena             | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002F宛名.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>          | name and address   |\n| 追伸       | ついしん         | tsuishin          | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_追伸.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | postscript         |\n\n### Vocabulary related to Japanese addresses\n\n| JA word  | Hiragana         | Romaji        | Audio                                                                      | EN word                                      |\n| -------- | ---------------- | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |\n| 国       | くに             | kuni          | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_国.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | country                                      |\n| 郵便番号 | ゆうびんばんごう | yuubin bangou | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_郵便番号.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | postal code                                  |\n| 都道府県 | とどうふけん     | todoufuken    | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_都道府県.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | capital\u002Fdistrict\u002Furban prefecture\u002Fprefecture |\n| ~市      | ~し              | ~shi          | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_市.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | ~ city                                       |\n| ~区      | く               | ku            | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_区.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | ~ ward (in Tokyo) \u002F ~ district (elsewhere)   |\n| ~町      | ~ちょう\u002F~まち    | chou\u002Fmachi    | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_ちょう.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>   | ~ town                                       |\n| ~村      | むら             | ~mura         | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_村.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | ~ village                                    |\n| 丁目     | ちょうめ         | choume        | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_丁目.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>     | city block                                   |\n| #号      | #ごう            | #gou          | \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja_号.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>       | building\u002Fapartment #                         |\n",{"title":5,"description":2314},"article\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-letter-comprehensive","4sFdyEI8OsvqMoskxBcZ8st93tnnjBz3NdsRQOC91hM","November 5, 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