Explanation at your level:
A letter is a message on paper. You put it in an envelope and send it to a friend. You use a stamp to send it by mail.
You write a letter when you want to tell someone news. It is different from an email because it is on paper. You usually write your name at the bottom.
A letter is a formal or informal way to communicate. In business, a cover letter is very important when you apply for a job. It explains why you want the position.
The term letter can refer to a physical document or a specific character in an alphabet. In professional correspondence, the letterhead at the top of the page shows the company's information.
Beyond the physical object, a letter can represent a medium for literary expression. Historically, epistolary novels were written entirely through a series of letters between characters.
The letter as a medium has deep historical significance, often serving as the primary artifact for historians. Its usage extends to metaphorical contexts, such as 'the letter of the law,' emphasizing strict adherence to written rules over their underlying intent.
30秒でわかる単語
- A letter is a written message.
- It is sent via mail.
- It can be formal or personal.
- It is a countable noun.
When we talk about a letter, we are referring to a classic way of sending messages. Before emails and texts, this was the primary way people communicated across distances.
A letter usually contains a greeting, the body of the message, and a closing. Whether it is a handwritten note to a grandparent or a formal business document, the structure helps us organize our thoughts clearly.
The word letter comes from the Old French word lettre, which traces back to the Latin littera, meaning an individual character of the alphabet.
Interestingly, the word evolved to describe the message itself because messages were composed of these characters. It has been a cornerstone of human communication for centuries, bridging gaps between cities and countries.
You use the word letter in both casual and formal contexts. You might write a letter to a friend, or a company might send a formal letter to a client.
Common collocations include cover letter, open letter, and registered letter. Always consider your audience; a letter to a boss requires a much more formal tone than a letter to a sibling.
1. To the letter: Following instructions exactly. He followed the recipe to the letter.
2. Dead letter: A law or rule that is no longer enforced. That old regulation is now a dead letter.
3. Letter of the law: The literal interpretation of a rule. She followed the letter of the law but ignored the spirit of it.
4. Man of letters: A scholar or author. He was a famous man of letters in the 19th century.
5. Letter-perfect: Completely accurate. Her performance was letter-perfect.
The plural form is letters. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'a letter' or 'three letters'.
In IPA, it is /ˈlɛtə/ in British English and /ˈlɛtər/ in American English. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like better, setter, and fetter.
Fun Fact
The word originally referred only to the symbols, not the message.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound, clear 't', silent 'r' at the end.
Short 'e' sound, 't' often sounds like a soft 'd', rhotic 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'later'
- Dropping the 't' sound
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Requires basic structure.
Common word.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a letter, two letters
Examples by Level
I wrote a letter to my mom.
I / wrote / a / letter / to / my / mother.
Past tense of write.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
She sent a letter by post.
I received a letter today.
Did you get my letter?
He is writing a letter now.
The letter is in the mailbox.
Please read this letter.
I lost the letter.
Can you mail this letter?
I am writing a cover letter for the job.
The company sent a formal letter of complaint.
He keeps all the letters his grandfather wrote.
She signed the letter with a pen.
The letter arrived in the morning.
I need to draft a letter to the manager.
The letter was addressed to the wrong person.
He folded the letter and put it in an envelope.
The letter of intent was signed yesterday.
Please ensure your letter is proofread for errors.
She received a letter of recommendation from her professor.
The letterhead on the stationery looked very professional.
He wrote a letter to the editor regarding the new policy.
The letter was sent via registered mail.
I am waiting for a letter of confirmation.
The tone of the letter was quite conciliatory.
The author's letters provide insight into his creative process.
He strictly followed the letter of the agreement.
The letter of credit guarantees payment to the seller.
Her letter to the board was both persuasive and articulate.
The letters patent granted him exclusive rights.
She sent a letter of resignation to the CEO.
The correspondence was a collection of personal letters.
He was a man of letters, deeply respected in academia.
The epistolary style of the novel relies on the exchange of letters.
He adhered to the letter of the law, despite the moral ambiguity.
The discovery of the lost letters changed our understanding of history.
Her letter of apology was written with profound sincerity.
The diplomat issued a letter of protest to the foreign ministry.
The collection of letters serves as a primary source for the era.
He interpreted the contract to the letter, leaving no room for negotiation.
The letter of marque was a historical document authorizing piracy.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"to the letter"
exactly
He followed the instructions to the letter.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
Both relate to alphabet
Letter is the symbol, character is the abstract unit
The letter 'A' is a character.
Sentence Patterns
I wrote a letter to...
I wrote a letter to my friend.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
A letter is specifically physical paper.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant envelope in your hallway.
Business Tips
Always use a formal greeting.
Mailboxes
Red vs blue mailboxes vary by country.
Articles
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
T-sounds
Practice the American 'flap t'.
Don't confuse
Letter vs character.
History
Letters were once the only way to talk far away.
Writing
Write a letter to yourself.
Formalities
Use 'Dear' for letters.
Plurals
Just add 's'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
L-E-T-T-E-R: Little Envelope That Travels Every Road.
Visual Association
An envelope with a stamp on it.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write a real letter to someone today.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: character of the alphabet
文化的な背景
None, but handwriting is considered very personal.
Letters are still used for formal business, legal matters, and heartfelt personal notes.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business
- Dear Sir/Madam
- Sincerely
- Enclosed please find
Conversation Starters
"When was the last time you wrote a letter?"
"Do you prefer letters or emails?"
"What is the most special letter you have received?"
"Do you think letters will disappear?"
"Would you ever write a love letter?"
Journal Prompts
Write a letter to your future self.
Describe a letter that changed your life.
If you could write a letter to any historical figure, who would it be?
Why is writing by hand special?
よくある質問
8 問No, a letter is physical paper.
自分をテスト
I sent a ___ to my friend.
A letter is something you send.
What do you put a letter in?
Letters are sent in envelopes.
A cover letter is used for job applications.
True, it introduces your resume.
Word
意味
Matching meanings.
I wrote the letter.
He followed the rules to the ___.
Idiom: to the letter.
What is a 'man of letters'?
It refers to a literary person.
An epistolary novel is written in letters.
Correct definition.
Word
意味
Advanced legal terms.
He followed the letter of the law.
スコア： /10
Summary
A letter is a classic, physical way to send a message to someone far away.
- A letter is a written message.
- It is sent via mail.
- It can be formal or personal.
- It is a countable noun.
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant envelope in your hallway.
Business Tips
Always use a formal greeting.
Mailboxes
Red vs blue mailboxes vary by country.
Articles
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
例文
I received a letter from my grandmother today.
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Businessの関連語
provicter
C1A formal and specialized term for an individual or entity responsible for procuring and supplying essential goods, particularly food or equipment, for a specific organization or mission. It often appears in formal administrative, legal, or historical contexts to denote an official supplier.
salesperson
A1商品やサービスをお客さんに売るのが仕事の人のことです。
projection
A1現在の情報から未来を予測することです。また、スクリーンに映像を映し出すことも指します。
profit
A1Profit is the money a business or person makes after paying all the costs involved in doing something. It represents the financial gain when the amount of money earned is more than the amount of money spent.
patreon
B1クリエイターがファンから直接お金を受け取れるプラットフォームです。ファンは定期的にクリエイターを支援します。
bureau
B2政府などの行政機関や事務局のこと。また、引き出しがたくさんついた家具も指すよ。
manager
A1A manager is a person who is in charge of a business, a department, or a team of people. Their job is to organize work, make decisions, and help others complete their tasks successfully.
macrocidsion
C1個々の部分ではなく、システム全体、組織、または大規模プロジェクトに影響を与えるハイレベルな戦略的決定。
offset
B2An offset is a consideration or amount that diminishes or balances the effect of something else. It acts as a counterweight or compensation to ensure equilibrium or to neutralize a negative impact.
antimercly
C1Describes a stance or characteristic that is fundamentally opposed to commercialism, profit-driven motives, or mercantile interests. It is often used to highlight an individual's or organization's commitment to artistic, humanitarian, or ethical values over financial gain.
