明信片
A postcard is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope.
Explanation at your level:
A postcard is a card you send in the mail. It has a picture on one side. You write a message on the other side. You do not use an envelope. It is fun to get one from a friend on vacation!
When you travel, you can buy a postcard to send to your family. It shows a place you visited. You write the address on the right side and your message on the left. It is a nice way to say hello.
A postcard is a popular way to share travel experiences. Because there is limited space, the messages are usually short and informal. It is a thoughtful souvenir to send to friends, and many people enjoy collecting them as a hobby.
The postcard serves as a tangible connection between a traveler and their home. While digital communication is faster, a physical postcard carries a personal touch that an email lacks. It is a classic memento of a journey.
The postcard occupies a unique space in communication history, bridging the gap between a formal letter and a fleeting text message. It is often used as a metaphor for a picturesque or idealised version of a place, as the images selected for postcards are typically curated to show only the most aesthetic aspects of a destination.
Beyond its functional purpose, the postcard is an object of cultural significance and deltiology. It represents a specific era of global connectivity where the physical transit of paper was the primary method of sharing experiences across borders. Its decline in the digital age has transformed it from a standard communication tool into a deliberate, sentimental act of correspondence.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A postcard is a card sent without an envelope.
- It usually features a picture on the front.
- It is a popular way to share travel memories.
- Collecting them is called deltiology.
A postcard is a classic piece of mail that brings a touch of nostalgia to our digital world. Unlike a letter, which is tucked away inside a private envelope, a postcard is exposed for anyone to see, which is exactly what makes it so charming.
You will usually find a beautiful image on the front—perhaps a landscape, a famous monument, or a piece of local art. On the back, there is a designated area for the recipient's address, a stamp, and your handwritten note. They are the perfect way to say, "I am thinking of you" while you are exploring somewhere new.
The history of the postcard dates back to the mid-19th century. The first official postcard was issued by the Austrian Post in 1869, known as the Correspondenz-Karte. It was a simple, stamp-preprinted card designed to make short communication cheaper and faster.
By the late 1800s, the "Golden Age of Postcards" began, as printing technology improved and allowed for color illustrations. People began collecting them as a hobby, a craze known as deltiology. Today, while we have emails and texts, the physical postcard remains a cherished artifact of travel and personal connection.
In daily life, you use a postcard when you want to send a quick, informal greeting. They are most commonly associated with travel and holidays. You might say, "I sent a postcard from Paris," or "I bought a postcard at the museum shop."
Because they are public, you should avoid writing anything highly confidential or sensitive on them. They are best for lighthearted messages, sharing a quick update, or simply showing someone you visited a cool location. They are considered casual, friendly, and thoughtful.
While there are few formal idioms using the word, we often use phrases related to them:
- "Picture-perfect": Used to describe a scene worthy of being on a postcard.
- "Wish you were here": The classic, cliché phrase written on almost every vacation postcard.
- "A postcard view": A view so beautiful it looks like a professional photograph.
- "Postcard-worthy": Something so stunning it deserves to be captured on a card.
- "In the mail": A general way to say you have sent a note to someone.
The word postcard is a countable noun. You can have one postcard or many postcards. It is a compound word formed by "post" and "card."
In terms of pronunciation, the US IPA is /ˈpoʊstˌkɑːrd/, while the UK IPA is /ˈpəʊstˌkɑːd/. The stress is firmly on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like discard, hard, and yard. Remember to pronounce the 't' clearly in the middle, though in fast speech, it often blends into the 'k' sound.
Fun Fact
The term 'deltiology' is the official name for the hobby of collecting postcards.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'post' + 'card' with a soft 'r'.
Sounds like 'post' + 'card' with a strong 'r'.
Common Errors
- dropping the 't' in post
- mispronouncing the 'a' in card
- stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Easy to write.
Easy to say.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
one postcard, two postcards
Prepositions of Place
on the back
Simple Past
I sent a card
Examples by Level
I sent a postcard to my mom.
sent = posted
past tense
This is a beautiful postcard.
beautiful = pretty
adjective usage
Do you like postcards?
like = enjoy
question form
I bought a postcard today.
bought = purchased
irregular verb
Write on the postcard.
write = put words
imperative
The postcard is from Italy.
from = origin
preposition
I have many postcards.
many = a lot of
plural noun
Look at this postcard!
look at = see
phrasal verb
I always send postcards when I am on holiday.
She keeps all the postcards she receives.
The postcard shows the Eiffel Tower.
Please write your address on the postcard.
I found a vintage postcard in the shop.
My friend sent me a postcard from Japan.
Postcards are cheaper than letters to send.
I need to buy a stamp for this postcard.
Sending a postcard is a great way to keep in touch while traveling.
The postcard arrived two weeks after I sent it.
I have a collection of postcards from every country I have visited.
He wrote a short note on the back of the postcard.
Postcards are often sold in tourist gift shops.
I chose a postcard with a beautiful sunset on it.
She framed the postcard because it was so artistic.
It is a tradition to send a postcard to my grandmother.
The postcard provided a brief, nostalgic glimpse of their summer in Italy.
Despite the rise of social media, the charm of a handwritten postcard remains unmatched.
He curated a selection of postcards to decorate his office wall.
The postcard was slightly damaged in the mail, but the message was still legible.
She considered the postcard a small but meaningful souvenir of her trip.
Collectors often search for rare postcards at antique markets.
The postcard captured the essence of the city perfectly.
I sent a postcard to thank them for their hospitality.
The image on the postcard was so idealized that the reality of the city was a bit of a shock.
Her travel journal was filled with pressed flowers and vintage postcards.
The postcard acted as a bridge between her current adventure and her life back home.
There is something inherently intimate about a postcard, even though it is technically public.
He sent a postcard every week, creating a chronological map of his travels.
The postcard served as a poignant reminder of a time before digital connectivity.
She treated the postcard like a piece of art, displaying it prominently.
The postcard's design reflected the aesthetic trends of the 1950s.
The postcard, once a ubiquitous medium of correspondence, has become a nostalgic artifact in our hyper-connected world.
His collection of postcards is a testament to the shifting geography of the 20th century.
The postcard’s brevity forces a distillation of experience that long-form letters often lack.
She found a cache of old postcards in the attic, each one a window into a forgotten life.
The postcard is a quintessential example of how travel and commerce intersect.
In the age of instant messaging, the delay inherent in a postcard adds a layer of anticipation.
The postcard’s imagery often constructs a specific, commodified identity for a destination.
He penned a final postcard, knowing it would arrive long after he had returned home.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"picture-perfect"
looks like a postcard
The wedding was picture-perfect.
neutral"wish you were here"
a standard postcard sentiment
I sent a card saying 'wish you were here'.
casual"postcard-worthy"
so beautiful it deserves to be a postcard
The sunset was postcard-worthy.
neutral"a pretty picture"
a nice scene
The garden makes a pretty picture.
neutral"in the mail"
sent via post
Your gift is in the mail.
neutral"send off"
to mail something
I sent off the postcards today.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are mail
Letter is in an envelope
I wrote a letter to my bank.
Both are cards
Greeting card is for events
I sent a birthday greeting card.
Related to mail
Postage is the fee
The postage was expensive.
Related to mail
Postbox is where you drop mail
I put the card in the postbox.
Sentence Patterns
I sent [someone] a postcard.
I sent my mom a postcard.
This postcard is from [place].
This postcard is from Rome.
I bought a postcard at [place].
I bought a postcard at the museum.
The postcard shows [object].
The postcard shows the beach.
He is collecting postcards from [place].
He is collecting postcards from Europe.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
A letter is in an envelope; a postcard is not.
Postcards need postage to be delivered.
Postcards have limited space.
The front is for the picture.
It is typically written as one word.
Tips
Break it down
Post + Card.
Travel tip
Buy them at the start of your trip.
Souvenir
Collect them from every city.
Countable
Always use 'a' or plural 's'.
The 't'
Don't skip the 't' in post.
No envelope
Never put a postcard in an envelope.
Deltiology
Learn this cool word for collectors.
Visuals
Look at pictures of postcards.
Keep it brief
Only write the essentials.
History
It started in Austria.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Post (mail) + Card (paper).
Visual Association
A card with a sunny beach on the front.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a postcard to yourself from a dream destination.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A card sent by post.
Cultural Context
None, though be aware of privacy since the message is visible to anyone handling the mail.
Postcards are a staple of British and American tourism, often sold in newsagents and gift shops.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Travel
- Wish you were here
- Having a great time
- See you soon
Gift Shop
- How much is this?
- Do you have stamps?
- I'll take this one
Post Office
- How much for a stamp?
- Is this airmail?
- Where is the postbox?
Hobby
- I collect postcards
- Look at my collection
- It's a rare find
Conversation Starters
"Do you ever send postcards when you travel?"
"What is the most beautiful postcard you have ever received?"
"Do you think postcards are becoming old-fashioned?"
"If you could send a postcard to anyone, who would it be?"
"Have you ever collected postcards?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the last postcard you received.
If you were traveling today, what would you write on a postcard?
Why do you think people still send postcards?
Imagine you are in a dream location; write a postcard message.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, that is the point!
Gift shops, newsagents, or museums.
Yes, you just need the correct postage.
Yes, the front is for the picture.
Deltiology.
Yes, as souvenirs.
No, it is not secure.
Depends on the distance, usually a few days to weeks.
Test Yourself
I sent a ___ from my holiday.
It is a card sent from a holiday.
Where do you write on a postcard?
The back has space for the address and message.
A postcard needs an envelope.
Postcards are designed to be sent without an envelope.
Word
Meaning
Matching items with their function.
Subject + verb + object.
Score: /5
Summary
A postcard is a simple, thoughtful way to share a piece of your journey with someone else.
- A postcard is a card sent without an envelope.
- It usually features a picture on the front.
- It is a popular way to share travel memories.
- Collecting them is called deltiology.
Break it down
Post + Card.
Travel tip
Buy them at the start of your trip.
Souvenir
Collect them from every city.
Countable
Always use 'a' or plural 's'.
Example
我给朋友寄了一张风景明信片。
