切手

§ What 切手 (Kitte) Means and When to Use It

Let's talk about 切手 (kitte). It's a straightforward word, and it simply means 'postage stamp' in Japanese. You'll use this word anytime you're referring to those small, sticky pieces of paper you put on letters or packages to pay for postage. Think about when you'd say 'stamp' in English – that's pretty much when you'd use 切手 in Japanese.

Even in our digital age, physical mail is still very much a part of life in Japan. Whether you're sending a postcard to a friend, mailing a document, or sending a gift, you'll likely need a 切手. So, knowing this word is pretty practical for everyday situations.

When you go to a post office (郵便局 - yūbinkyoku) or even a convenience store (コンビニ - konbini) to buy stamps, you'll ask for 切手. For example, if you need an 84-yen stamp, you might say: 「84円切手をお願いします。」 (Hachijūyon-en kitte o onegaishimasu.) which means, 'An 84-yen stamp, please.'

Japanese Word

切手 (kitte)

Meaning

Postage stamp

You'll often hear it in contexts related to mail, post offices, and sending things. It's a fundamental vocabulary word for anyone living in or traveling to Japan, or even just interacting with Japanese postal services from abroad.

Hint: Please put a stamp on the letter.

Hint: Where can I buy stamps?

While 'postage stamp' is the primary meaning, you might also sometimes hear 切手 in more specialized contexts, like stamp collecting (切手収集 - kitte shūshū), but for daily use, just stick to its core meaning. It's not a word with many hidden nuances or slang uses, which makes it easier to learn and apply directly.

It's also worth noting that Japan has a wide variety of beautiful and unique stamps, often featuring local landmarks, animals, or popular characters. So, buying 切手 can sometimes be an experience in itself!

To summarize, 切手 is your go-to word for 'postage stamp'. You'll use it when:

• Buying stamps at a post office or convenience store.
• Talking about sending mail.
• Asking if a letter has enough postage.

Mastering this simple word will greatly help you navigate everyday situations in Japan related to mailing items. It's a practical and essential piece of vocabulary for any Japanese learner.

§ Understanding 切手 (Kitte)

切手 (kitte) means 'postage stamp' in Japanese. It's a straightforward noun. Think of it just like you would 'stamp' in English. When you want to talk about buying a stamp, sticking a stamp, or needing a stamp, 切手 is the word you'll use.

§ Basic Usage with Verbs

You can combine 切手 with various verbs to describe actions related to stamps. Here are some common ones:

• 買う (kau) - to buy: When you need to purchase a stamp.

  郵便局で切手を三枚買いました。

  Hint

  I bought three stamps at the post office.

• 貼る (haru) - to stick/paste: For putting a stamp on an envelope.

  封筒に切手を貼ってください。

  Hint

  Please stick a stamp on the envelope.

• いる (iru) - to need (for inanimate objects): To express that a stamp is necessary.

  この手紙には切手が必要です。

  Hint

  This letter needs a stamp.

§ Using 切手 with Particles

Particles are crucial in Japanese. Here's how 切手 often pairs with them:

• の (no) - possession/description: To describe the type of stamp or something related to stamps.

  切手のコレクションを見せてください。

  Hint

  Please show me your stamp collection.

  これは記念切手です。

  Hint

  This is a commemorative stamp.

• で (de) - location of action: When stating where you bought a stamp.

  コンビニで切手が買えますか？

  Hint

  Can I buy stamps at the convenience store?

• が (ga) - subject marker: When 切手 is the subject of the sentence, especially with existence verbs or potential forms.

  切手がありますか？

  Hint

  Do you have stamps?

§ Common Phrases with 切手

Here are some useful phrases you might encounter or want to use:

• いくらの切手 (ikura no kitte) - how much is the stamp: To ask about the value of a stamp.

  この手紙にはいくらの切手が必要ですか？

  Hint

  How much stamp is needed for this letter?

• 切手を集める (kitte o atsumeru) - to collect stamps: If you're into philately.

  趣味で切手を集めています。

  Hint

  I collect stamps as a hobby.

§ What is 切手 (Kitte)?

Japanese Word

切手 (きって - kitte)

Definition

postage stamp

CEFR Level

A2

You'll often hear the word 切手 (kitte) when dealing with mail or visiting a post office in Japan. It simply means 'postage stamp.' Even in our digital age, sending letters and postcards is still common, especially for official documents, greeting cards, or even just for fun. Knowing 切手 is super practical for everyday life in Japan.

§ Using 切手 in Daily Life

Let's look at some real-world situations where you'd use or hear 切手.

• At the Post Office (郵便局 - yūbinkyoku): This is the most obvious place. Whether you're sending a letter or a package, you'll need to buy stamps.

  この手紙に切手を貼ってください。

  Translation hint: "Please put a stamp on this letter."

  84円の切手をください。

  Translation hint: "Please give me an 84-yen stamp."

• Sending Postcards (はがき - hagaki): If you're sending a postcard, you'll also need a 切手, though often a different denomination than for a letter.

  このはがきにはいくらの切手が必要ですか？

  Translation hint: "How much of a stamp do I need for this postcard?"

• Collecting Stamps (切手収集 - kitte shūshū): Some people collect stamps as a hobby. You might hear about limited edition 切手 or valuable vintage 切手 in news or hobby circles.

  彼は日本の古い切手を集めています。

  Translation hint: "He collects old Japanese stamps."

• Office/Work Environment: In an office, you might be asked to prepare mail. This could involve attaching 切手 to envelopes.

  急ぎでこの書類に切手を貼って郵送してください。

  Translation hint: "Please quickly put a stamp on this document and mail it out."

• Online Shopping/Returns: Sometimes, if you need to return an item, the process might involve sending it back with a prepaid label that includes the 'postage stamp' equivalent, or you might need to buy one yourself.

  返送用の切手は自分で用意する必要がありますか？

  Translation hint: "Do I need to prepare the stamp for return shipping myself?"

§ Remember This

Knowing 切手 is a small but important step in navigating daily life in Japan. It's a fundamental word for anyone dealing with mail. Don't confuse it with 'envelope' (封筒 - fūtō) or 'postcard' (はがき - hagaki).

§ Don't Confuse 切手 (Kitte) with 切符 (Kippu)

This is a very common mistake for beginners. Both words start with the character 切 (kiri/setsu), which can mean 'cut'. However, their meanings are entirely different. Let's break it down.

DEFINITION

切手 (kitte): postage stamp. Used for mailing letters or packages.

DEFINITION

切符 (kippu): ticket. Used for trains, buses, concerts, etc.

Imagine trying to mail a letter with a train ticket, or trying to board a train with a postage stamp. It wouldn't work, right? The same applies to using the wrong word in Japanese.

§ Overgeneralizing 'Stamp'

In English, 'stamp' can refer to a few different things:

• A postage stamp
• A rubber stamp (for official documents, art, etc.)
• The act of stamping your foot

In Japanese, 切手 (kitte) ONLY means a postage stamp. You cannot use it for other types of stamps.

DEFINITION

ゴム印 (gomuin): rubber stamp/seal (for documents).

DEFINITION

判子 (hanko) or 印鑑 (inkan): personal seal/chop (for signing official documents).

So, if you need to ask for a rubber stamp to mark a document, don't ask for 切手. You'll get confused looks!

§ Using it for 'Stamping' Action

As mentioned, 切手 is a noun (postage stamp). You cannot use it as a verb to mean 'to stamp' (e.g., 'I stamped my foot'). For actions related to stamping, you'd use different verbs:

• 貼る (haru): to stick/paste (e.g., sticking a stamp on an envelope)
• 踏む (fumu): to step on/to tread (e.g., stamping your foot in anger)
• 押す (osu): to press/push (e.g., pressing a rubber stamp onto paper)

§ Forgetting Counters for Stamps

When counting postage stamps, you typically use the counter 枚 (mai) for flat, thin objects. While simply saying the number is often understood, using the correct counter makes your Japanese sound more natural and precise.

By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can use 切手 (kitte) correctly and avoid misunderstandings in your Japanese conversations. Pay attention to the context and the specific meaning you want to convey, and you'll be fine.

§ Understanding 切手 (Kitte)

You're learning Japanese, and today we're looking at 切手 (きって), which means 'postage stamp'. This is a common noun you'll need if you ever send mail in Japan or talk about letters. It's a fundamental word for everyday communication.

DEFINITION

postage stamp

Hint: I bought a postage stamp.

Hint: Please put a postage stamp on the letter.

§ Similar words and when to use them

While 切手 specifically means 'postage stamp', it's good to know some related terms for mailing things. There aren't many direct synonyms for 'postage stamp' in Japanese, as 切手 is quite specific. However, understanding the broader context of mailing can be helpful.

• ハガキ (hagaki): Postcard

  This is for postcards. While postcards also need a stamp, you wouldn't call a postcard a 切手. You'd say 「ハガキ用の切手」 (hagaki you no kitte) if you specifically needed a stamp for a postcard, or just ask for a postcard itself.

  このハガキを送りたいです。

  Hint: I want to send this postcard.

• 封筒 (fūtō): Envelope

  This is the container for your letter. Again, it needs a 切手, but it's not the same thing. You'd use 封筒 when talking about the envelope itself, and 切手 for the stamp you put on it.

  新しい封筒がありますか。

  Hint: Do you have a new envelope?

• 郵送 (yūsō): Mail/Postal service

  This is a more general term for sending things by post. While you use 切手 for mailing, 郵送 refers to the act of mailing itself or the postal service. You wouldn't use it interchangeably with 切手.

  この荷物を郵送したいです。

  Hint: I want to send this package by mail.

In summary, 切手 is very specific to 'postage stamp'. When you need a stamp, use 切手. When you're talking about the item you're mailing (like a postcard or an envelope) or the act of mailing, use the appropriate related terms. Don't overthink it; 切手 is straightforward for stamps!