A2 noun Neutral 2 Min. Lesezeit

ゆうびんきょく

yubinkyoku /juːbinkʲokɯ/
Practice it

Overview

The Japanese word 'ゆうびんきょく' (yūbinkyoku) translates to 'post office' in English. It's a common and essential vocabulary word for anyone learning Japanese or traveling in Japan. Let's break down its components and usage.

**Etymology and Components:**

  • ゆうびん (yūbin): This part means 'mail' or 'postal service.' It's composed of two kanji:
  • 郵 (yū): This kanji means 'mail' or 'transport.'
  • 便 (bin): This kanji means 'convenience,' 'news,' or 'flight.' In this context, it refers to a 'message' or 'delivery.'
  • きょく (kyoku): This part means 'bureau,' 'department,' 'office,' or 'station.' It's typically written with the kanji:
  • 局 (kyoku): This kanji specifically refers to a 'bureau,' 'office,' or 'department.'

So, literally, 'ゆうびんきょく' can be understood as the 'mail bureau' or 'postal service office.'

**Pronunciation:**

  • ゆう (yū): Pronounced like 'you' in English.
  • びん (bin): Pronounced like 'bin' in English.
  • きょ (kyo): Pronounced like 'kyo' in 'Kyoto.'
  • く (ku): Pronounced like 'ku' in 'kung fu,' but often very subtly, almost like a glottal stop at the end of a word.

The 'ー' in 'ゆうびん' indicates a long 'u' sound. In spoken Japanese, the 'u' at the end of 'です' (desu) or 'ます' (masu) is often devoiced, meaning it's barely audible. However, in 'ゆうびんきょく,' the 'u' in 'ゆう' is a long vowel and fully pronounced, while the 'u' in 'きょく' is often slightly devoiced, but still present.

**Usage in Sentences:**

  • 郵便局はどこですか？ (Yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka?) - Where is the post office?
  • 郵便局に行きます。 (Yūbinkyoku ni ikimasu.) - I'm going to the post office.
  • この手紙を郵便局から送りたいです。 (Kono tegami o yūbinkyoku kara okuritai desu.) - I want to send this letter from the post office.

**Cultural Context:**

Japanese post offices offer a wide range of services beyond just sending mail. They often function as small banks, providing ATM services, savings accounts, and insurance. Many also sell local souvenirs, stamps with unique designs, and sometimes even have small convenience stores or gift shops attached. They are generally very efficient and customer-service oriented.

Understanding 'ゆうびんきょく' is crucial for navigating daily life in Japan, whether you need to mail a postcard, withdraw money, or even just ask for directions.

Beispiele

1

ゆうびんきょくはどこですか？

Asking for directions

Where is the post office?

2

ゆうびんきょくでてがみをだします。

Describing an action

I'll mail a letter at the post office.

3

ゆうびんきょくのATMでお金を下ろしました。

Describing a past action

I withdrew money from the post office ATM.

4

この荷物はゆうびんきょくから送れますか？

Asking about shipping options

Can I send this package from the post office?

5

ゆうびんきょくは午前9時から開いています。

Stating operating hours

The post office is open from 9 AM.

Häufige Kollokationen

郵便局に行く
郵便局で荷物を送る
中央郵便局
近くの郵便局

Wird oft verwechselt mit

ゆうびんきょく vs ゆうびん

Refers to mail or postal service in general, not the physical office.

ゆうびんきょく vs ゆうびんやさん

Refers to a postman or postal worker, not the office itself.

Grammatikmuster

「郵便局はどこですか。」 (Where is the post office?) - Common phrase for asking directions. 「郵便局に行ってきます。」 (I'm going to the post office.) - Used when stating an intention to go to the post office. 「郵便局で手紙を出しました。」 (I mailed a letter at the post office.) - Used to describe an action performed at the post office.

How to Use It

Nutzungshinweise

'Yūbinkyoku' (郵便局) is the standard and most common term for 'post office' in Japanese. It is a compound word formed from 'yūbin' (郵便), meaning 'mail' or 'postal service,' and 'kyoku' (局), meaning 'office' or 'bureau.' When referring to a specific post office, you might say its name followed by 'yūbinkyoku,' for example, 'Tōkyō Chūō Yūbinkyoku' (Tokyo Central Post Office). The term is widely understood and used across all demographics. There aren't many common alternative terms for a general post office; however, one might occasionally hear 'yūbin-sho' (郵便所), which also means post office, but 'yūbinkyoku' is overwhelmingly more prevalent in everyday conversation. When asking for directions, you would typically use 'yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka?' (Where is the post office?). It's important to remember that 'yūbin' itself refers to the mail service, not the physical building, so using 'yūbinkyoku' is crucial when you mean the post office building.

Häufige Fehler

One common mistake is confusing 'ゆうびんきょく' (yūbinkyoku - post office) with 'えき' (eki - train station) due to the 'kyoku' ending, which can also mean 'station' in some contexts. While both are public service locations, their functions are entirely different. Another mistake can be mispronouncing the long 'u' sound in 'yūbin,' which should be held slightly longer than a single 'u' sound. Beginners might also drop the 'u' in 'kyoku' or pronounce it too strongly, when it should be a softer, almost glided sound. Lastly, people sometimes forget the 'n' in 'yūbin,' which changes the meaning significantly. Remember the full 'n' sound for 'mail.' Focus on enunciating each part clearly and practicing the rhythm of the full word.

Tips

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Use it in a sentence

郵便局はどこですか？ (Yūbinkyoku wa doko desu ka?) - Where is the post office?

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Cultural context

In Japan, post offices offer a wider range of services than in some Western countries, including banking (ゆうちょ銀行 - Yūcho Ginkō) and insurance services, in addition to postal services.

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Related vocabulary

郵便 (yūbin) - mail/post, 銀行 (ginkō) - bank, 切手 (kitte) - postage stamp, 葉書 (hagaki) - postcard, 封筒 (fūtō) - envelope, 小包 (kozutsumi) - parcel.

Wortherkunft

The word 'yūbinkyoku' is a compound of 'yūbin' (郵便, mail/post) and 'kyoku' (局, bureau/office). 'Yūbin' itself is a compound, with 'yū' (郵) meaning 'to dispatch' or 'to send' and 'bin' (便) meaning 'convenience,' 'dispatch,' or 'mail.' The character 'yū' (郵) historically referred to a relay station or post-horse system, indicating a system for sending messages or goods. 'Bin' (便) can also refer to a specific trip or flight, or general convenience. Therefore, 'yūbin' collectively refers to the postal service or mail. 'Kyoku' (局) signifies an office, bureau, or department. So, 'yūbinkyoku' literally translates to 'mail dispatch office' or 'postal bureau.'

Kultureller Kontext

In Japan, the postal service, known as Yubin (郵便), plays a significant role in daily life, extending beyond simple mail delivery to encompass banking and insurance services. 'Yūbinkyoku' (郵便局), or post offices, are ubiquitous and highly trusted institutions. The iconic red post box is a common sight in Japanese cities and towns. The postal service is highly efficient and reliable, and many people still prefer to send physical letters and postcards for personal and business communication. Moreover, the Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行, Yūcho Ginkō), a part of the Japan Post Holdings, is one of the largest banks in Japan by deposits, and many post offices have banking counters. Similarly, Japan Post Insurance (かんぽ生命, Kanpo Seimei) offers various insurance products through post office branches. This integration of services makes the 'yūbinkyoku' a central hub for various essential errands for many Japanese citizens.

Merkhilfe

Visualize a 'YUU'ge-looking character (ゆう) holding a 'BIN' (びん - bottle, imagine it's full of mail) at a 'KYOKU' (きょく - station/office, like a train station for mail).

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

The Japanese word for 'post office' is 'ゆうびんきょく' (yūbinkyoku). It is a common and essential place in Japan where people can send letters, packages, and access various other postal services. You'll find post offices throughout the country, often marked with a red symbol that looks like a 'T' with an extra horizontal line at the top. Knowing this word is very helpful for anyone traveling or living in Japan, as it allows you to easily locate these important facilities and communicate your needs.

The pronunciation of 'ゆうびんきょく' is 'yoo-bin-kyoh-koo'. Let's break it down: 'ゆう' (yū) sounds like 'yoo' as in 'you'. 'びん' (bin) sounds like 'bin' as in 'binocular'. 'きょ' (kyo) sounds like 'kyoh' as in 'Kyoto' but with a shorter 'o'. 'く' (ku) sounds like 'koo' as in 'cuckoo'. When spoken naturally, the syllables flow together smoothly, creating a word that is quite intuitive once you understand the individual sounds. Practicing it a few times will help you master the pronunciation.

Japanese post offices offer a wide range of services beyond just sending mail. You can send letters, postcards, and packages both domestically and internationally. They also provide banking services, including savings accounts and money transfers, which can be particularly convenient for residents. Additionally, you can often purchase stamps, postcards, and other stationery items. Some larger post offices even offer insurance services. It's a truly versatile establishment that caters to many daily needs for the Japanese public.

The modern Japanese postal service, known as Japan Post (日本郵便 - Nippon Yūbin), has a rich history dating back to 1871. It was established during the Meiji Restoration as a way to modernize the country's communication infrastructure, drawing inspiration from postal systems in Western countries. Prior to this, various forms of mail delivery existed, but the Meiji government unified and professionalized the system. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, expanding its services and adapting to new technologies, becoming a cornerstone of Japanese society. The iconic red post office symbol has been a familiar sight for generations.

Teste dich selbst

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日本の郵便サービスはとても便利です。例えば、手紙を出すときや荷物を送るときには、近くの＿＿＿＿＿に行きます。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
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旅行中、絵葉書を送りたい時は＿＿＿＿＿を探しましょう。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
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荷物を送るため、私は午前中に＿＿＿＿＿へ行きました。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Ergebnis: /3

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