Meaning
To dispatch an electronic message.
Cultural Background
Emails are often preferred over phone calls for non-urgent matters to avoid interrupting the recipient's flow of work. This is part of 'omoiyari' (consideration for others). Among Gen Z, 'email' is almost exclusively for formal things like university or job hunting. For everything else, LINE or Instagram DMs are the default. Many seniors still use 'carrier mail' (keitai mēru) provided by their phone companies (like @docomo.ne.jp), which has specific character limits and formatting. The 'Send' button in Japanese software is almost always labeled '{送信|そうしん}' (Sōshin), which is the more formal/technical version of '{送|おく}る'.
Use 'ni' for the person
Always remember that the recipient takes the 'ni' particle. '{田中|たなか}さんにメールを{送|おく}る'.
Check the 'o'
Don't forget the 'o' particle in formal writing, even if it's sometimes dropped in very casual speech.
Meaning
To dispatch an electronic message.
Use 'ni' for the person
Always remember that the recipient takes the 'ni' particle. '{田中|たなか}さんにメールを{送|おく}る'.
Check the 'o'
Don't forget the 'o' particle in formal writing, even if it's sometimes dropped in very casual speech.
Business Humble Form
In a job hunt, use 'o-okuri itashimasu' to sound like a pro.
Timing Matters
Avoid sending business emails on weekends unless it's an emergency.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle and verb in the polite form.
{友達|ともだち}にメール___ ___。
To send an email, you use the object particle 'o' and the verb 'okurimasu'.
Which sentence means 'Please send an email'?
Choose the correct request form:
'~te kudasai' is the standard way to make a polite request in Japanese.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {資料|しりょう}を{送|おく}りましたか？ B: はい、さっき___。
Since the question is in the past tense ('okurimashita ka?'), the answer should also be in the past tense ('okurimashita').
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to send a photo to your friend using email.
You send the 'photo' (object) 'by means of' (de) email.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Email vs LINE
Practice Bank
4 exercises{友達|ともだち}にメール___ ___。
To send an email, you use the object particle 'o' and the verb 'okurimasu'.
Choose the correct request form:
'~te kudasai' is the standard way to make a polite request in Japanese.
A: {資料|しりょう}を{送|おく}りましたか？ B: はい、さっき___。
Since the question is in the past tense ('okurimashita ka?'), the answer should also be in the past tense ('okurimashita').
You want to send a photo to your friend using email.
You send the 'photo' (object) 'by means of' (de) email.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but most people say 'messēji o okuru' or 'LINE o okuru' for texts.
Yes, it's very similar, but 'dasu' feels a bit more like 'mailing out' a physical letter.
'Okuru' is the general verb, while 'sōshin' is a more technical/formal noun-verb (sōshin suru).
You can say 'Machigaete okurimashita.'
No, 'denshi' (electronic) is almost never used in conversation anymore. Just 'mēru' is fine.
You say 'Mēru adoresu o oshiete kudasai.'
Yes! 'Okuru' also means to see someone off or take them home.
In casual speech, yes: 'Mēru okuru ne!'
It's just 'CC' (shī-shī). You say 'CC de okuru.'
'Ato de okurimasu.'
Related Phrases
メールを{受信|じゅしん}する
contrastTo receive an email.
メールを{返信|へんしん}する
specialized formTo reply to an email.
メールを{転送|てんそう}する
specialized formTo forward an email.
メールを{削除|さくじょ}する
similarTo delete an email.
メールを{作成|さくせい}する
builds onTo compose/create an email.
