Meaning and Usage
"葉書" (はがき) means "postcard" in Japanese. It refers to a card used for sending short messages by mail without an envelope. It is a common way to send greetings, announcements, or travel updates.
Common Contexts
You will often see "葉書" used when talking about sending postcards from trips, writing addresses and messages on postcards, or sending seasonal greetings like New Year's cards (年賀状).
Collocations and Patterns
- 葉書を送る: to send a postcard
- 葉書に書く: to write on a postcard
- 年賀状は葉書で: New Year's cards are usually sent by postcard
Register and Politeness
"葉書" is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is not a technical term and is widely understood.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "葉書" with "手紙" (letter). Remember, "葉書" is specifically a postcard, usually without an envelope, while "手紙" is a letter that is often enclosed in an envelope.