postcard
A postcard is a small, rectangular card sent by mail without an envelope.
Explanation at your level:
A postcard is a card with a picture. You send it in the mail. You do not use an envelope. You write on the back. It is for your friends.
When you are on holiday, you can buy a postcard. It has a photo of the city on one side. On the other side, you write your message and the address. Then you put a stamp on it and send it home to your family.
A postcard is a convenient way to keep in touch while traveling. Because it is small, it doesn't take much time to write. Many people collect postcards from different countries as a hobby. It is a traditional way to share your experiences with friends without the formality of a letter.
The postcard serves as a nostalgic medium for communication. In an era of digital messaging, receiving a physical postcard is considered a special gesture. It bridges the gap between a simple note and a formal letter, offering a personal touch that digital texts often lack. It is often associated with tourism and leisure.
Beyond its utilitarian function as a postal item, the postcard has cultural significance as a snapshot of a specific time and place. Historically, postcards were the primary method of 'quick' communication, acting as a precursor to modern instant messaging. Their design often reflects the aesthetic values of the era in which they were produced.
The postcard occupies a unique niche in the history of telecommunications and sociology. It represents a democratization of travel imagery, allowing the masses to share visual representations of distant locales. Academically, the study of postcards—deltiology—reveals much about the social habits and visual culture of the 20th century. It remains a poignant symbol of the 'analog' experience in a hyper-digital world.
30秒でわかる単語
- A postcard is a card sent without an envelope.
- It usually features a picture on one side.
- It is a popular way to share travel memories.
- It requires a stamp to be mailed.
A postcard is a classic way to send a quick note through the mail. Unlike a letter, which requires an envelope, a postcard is exposed for everyone to see, which is part of its charm! It usually has a beautiful picture on one side, showing off a landmark or a scenic view.
On the other side, you have just enough room to write a short greeting, the recipient's address, and a place for a stamp. Because they are small and lightweight, they are the perfect souvenir for travelers. Sending one is a thoughtful way to say, 'I'm thinking of you,' without needing to write a long, formal letter.
The word postcard is a straightforward combination of 'post' and 'card.' The concept dates back to the 19th century when postal services began looking for ways to make mail cheaper and more efficient. The first official postcard was issued in Austria-Hungary in 1869.
It quickly became a global sensation because it was much cheaper to mail than a standard letter. By the early 20th century, the 'Golden Age of Postcards' began, where people collected them as hobbies. The word itself evolved as postal systems standardized, moving from private 'correspondence cards' to the official term we use today.
You will most often hear the word postcard in the context of travel or holidays. Common collocations include send a postcard, buy a postcard, or receive a postcard. It is a very casual and friendly term.
In a formal setting, you wouldn't use a postcard for professional correspondence. It is strictly for personal, informal communication. If you are writing to a business, stick to an email or a formal letter, as a postcard might be seen as too unprofessional or flimsy for serious matters.
While 'postcard' isn't used in many deep idioms, it appears in common phrases. 'Picture perfect' is often used to describe scenes that look like they belong on a postcard. 'Wish you were here' is the quintessential postcard phrase.
Another expression is 'postcard-worthy', which means something is so beautiful it deserves to be featured on a card. We also use 'a postcard view' to describe a stunning landscape. Finally, 'send a postcard from the edge' is a literary way to describe sending a message from a very difficult or dangerous situation.
The word postcard is a countable noun. You can have one postcard or two postcards. The stress is on the first syllable: POST-card. In British English, the 'r' in 'card' is often silent or very soft, while in American English, it is pronounced clearly.
It rhymes with words like discard, hard, and yard. When using it in a sentence, you usually use the indefinite article 'a' (e.g., 'I bought a postcard'). It is a compound word, formed by joining two distinct nouns into one.
Fun Fact
The first postcard was a way to save money on letter postage.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'post' followed by 'card' with a soft 'r'.
Clear 'o' sound and a distinct 'r' in 'card'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'st' cluster
- Dropping the 'd' at the end
- Stress on the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Easy to write.
Common word.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Countable nouns
One postcard, two postcards.
Articles (a/an)
A postcard.
Present continuous
He is writing a postcard.
Examples by Level
I bought a postcard.
I purchased a card.
Simple past.
This is a nice postcard.
This card is pretty.
Demonstrative pronoun.
Send me a postcard.
Please mail one to me.
Imperative.
The postcard is blue.
The color is blue.
Adjective.
I write on the postcard.
I am writing now.
Present tense.
Look at the postcard.
See the card.
Verb phrase.
It is a big postcard.
The card is large.
Adjective.
Do you like this postcard?
Is it good?
Question form.
I sent a postcard from Paris.
She collects postcards from every city.
The postcard shows the Eiffel Tower.
I wrote a message on my postcard.
Please write your address on the postcard.
He found an old postcard in the box.
We bought a postcard at the museum.
The postcard arrived in the mail today.
Sending a postcard is a thoughtful way to remember friends while traveling.
I have a collection of vintage postcards from the 1950s.
The postcard was damaged during transit.
She pinned the postcard to her bedroom wall.
I forgot to buy a stamp for my postcard.
The view from the hotel was like a postcard.
He received a postcard from his brother in Japan.
Writing a postcard is a great way to practice your handwriting.
In the digital age, the physical postcard has become a rare and cherished item.
The postcard provided a brief, evocative glimpse into her life abroad.
He sent a postcard to his grandmother to keep her updated on his journey.
The tourism board distributed postcards to promote the local attractions.
Her desk was covered in postcards from various international destinations.
The postcard was addressed to a house that no longer exists.
It is a postcard-perfect day for a picnic in the park.
Many people consider postcards to be a dying art form.
The postcard served as a vital link between the soldier and his family back home.
Deltiology, the study of postcards, offers fascinating insights into historical social trends.
The postcard's aesthetic simplicity contrasts sharply with modern, data-heavy communication.
He kept the postcard as a memento of a summer he would never forget.
The postcard captured the essence of the city in a single, static image.
Despite the rise of social media, the postcard retains a certain romantic appeal.
She curated a selection of postcards that documented her decade of travel.
The postcard was a medium for both personal sentiment and public display.
The postcard acts as a synecdoche for the entire travel experience, distilling complex journeys into a single visual trope.
Historians often analyze postcards to reconstruct the vernacular architecture and social mores of past generations.
There is a poignant irony in sending a postcard from a place that is currently undergoing rapid, destructive change.
The postcard functions as a performative act of travel, signaling status and experience to the recipient.
Its materiality—the weight of the paper, the ink, the postmark—is what distinguishes the postcard from a fleeting digital image.
The postcard is a relic of a slower, more intentional era of correspondence.
Her collection of postcards is a cartography of her own personal history.
The postcard remains an enduring artifact of the human desire to share the 'there' with the 'here'.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"Picture perfect"
Flawless or beautiful like a postcard.
The mountain view was picture perfect.
neutral"Wish you were here"
A common phrase written on postcards.
I sent a card saying 'wish you were here'.
casual"Postcard-worthy"
Very beautiful or scenic.
That sunset was truly postcard-worthy.
neutral"A postcard from the edge"
A message from a difficult situation.
His report felt like a postcard from the edge.
literary"Send a postcard"
To update someone briefly.
Just send a postcard when you arrive.
casual"Like a postcard"
Describing something very scenic.
The village looked just like a postcard.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are mail.
Letter is in an envelope.
I sent a letter in an envelope.
Similar sound.
Poster is for walls.
I put a poster on the wall.
Postcard is a type of card.
Card is a general term.
I gave him a birthday card.
Both are mail.
Package is a box.
I received a package today.
Sentence Patterns
I sent a postcard to [person].
I sent a postcard to my friend.
This postcard shows [place].
This postcard shows the beach.
He is writing a postcard.
He is writing a postcard now.
I bought a postcard at [location].
I bought a postcard at the shop.
The postcard is from [place].
The postcard is from Italy.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
A postcard has no envelope.
It is usually one word.
Articles must match quantity.
Postcards need postage.
Postcards are meant to be open.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant postcard hanging on your front door.
When Native Speakers Use It
Used when talking about vacations or souvenirs.
Cultural Insight
It is a classic souvenir in the UK and Europe.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' for a single postcard.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'POST' stress.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't put it in an envelope!
Did You Know?
Postcards were the 'text messages' of the 1900s.
Study Smart
Buy a postcard in English when you travel.
Writing Tip
Keep your message short and sweet.
Word Expansion
Learn the word 'stamp' alongside 'postcard'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Post + Card = A card you post.
Visual Association
A bright, sunny beach photo on a piece of paper.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write a fake postcard to a friend.
語源
English
Original meaning: A card sent by post.
文化的な背景
None, but ensure the address is written clearly.
Commonly bought in gift shops at tourist sites.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel
- Send a postcard
- Buy a souvenir
- Postcard from Paris
Hobbies
- Collect postcards
- Deltiology hobby
- Vintage collection
Mail Service
- Buy a stamp
- Mail a card
- Post office
Writing
- Write a message
- Write an address
- Short note
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever sent a postcard?"
"Do you collect postcards?"
"What is the most beautiful postcard you have seen?"
"Do you prefer postcards or emails?"
"Where would you send a postcard from?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the last postcard you received.
If you could send a postcard to your future self, what would you write?
Why do you think people still use physical postcards?
Write a short message you would put on a postcard.
よくある質問
8 問No, that is the main point of a postcard.
Yes, as long as you have the correct international postage.
It is usually written as one word: 'postcard'.
To share travel memories with friends.
It is called deltiology.
No, there is very limited space.
No, they are usually very affordable.
Most do, but some are just plain cards.
自分をテスト
I send a ___ from my holiday.
Postcard is the item sent by mail.
What do you need to put on a postcard?
Postcards need a stamp to travel.
A postcard is usually sent in an envelope.
Postcards are sent without envelopes.
Word
意味
Matching items to their definitions.
Subject + Verb + Object.
The ___ view was beautiful.
Postcard view is a common collocation.
What is the study of postcards called?
Deltiology is the study of postcards.
Postcards were once the primary form of quick communication.
Before digital, postcards were the standard.
Word
意味
Academic terms.
Complex sentence structure.
スコア： /10
Summary
A postcard is a small, picture-filled card sent through the mail to share a quick update with someone.
- A postcard is a card sent without an envelope.
- It usually features a picture on one side.
- It is a popular way to share travel memories.
- It requires a stamp to be mailed.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant postcard hanging on your front door.
When Native Speakers Use It
Used when talking about vacations or souvenirs.
Cultural Insight
It is a classic souvenir in the UK and Europe.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' for a single postcard.
例文
I sent a postcard to my parents while I was on vacation in Rome.
Related Content
Travelの関連語
connection
A1A connection is when you change from one bus, train, or plane to another to continue your journey. It also refers to the relationship or link between two or more things.
insurance
A1保険は、万が一の時に金銭的な負担を軽くしてくれるものです。定期的に支払うことで、事故や病気の際に補償を受けられます。
castle
A1A castle is a large, strong building built in the past by a ruler or important person to protect the people inside from attack. It usually has thick stone walls, high towers, and sometimes a water-filled ditch called a moat.
reservations
B1Reservations are arrangements made in advance to secure a service, such as a seat on a plane, a room in a hotel, or a table at a restaurant. The term also refers to a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about a plan, idea, or person.
tour
A1ツアーは、いくつかの場所を訪れる旅行のことです。観光名所などを見ることが多いです。
cash
A1現金とは、紙幣や硬貨のことです。すぐに支払いに使える、実物のお金です。
station
A1A station is a designated place where trains or buses regularly stop to allow passengers to get on or off. It can also refer to a building or facility used for a specific purpose, such as a police station or a radio station.
delay
A1A situation where something happens later than planned or expected. It often refers to a period of time that you must wait because a train, plane, or event is not on time.
trip
A1旅行は、ある場所へ行って帰ってくることです。楽しみのためや、ある目的のために行くことが多いです。
lobby
A1ホテルや劇場の入り口近くにある広い部屋で、人が待ったり待ち合わせたりできる場所だよ。
