手紙|てがみtegami[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounletter; note
   ここにあなたあての手紙てがみが何なん通つうかあります。↗

   Here are some letters for you.

• Synonym書簡しょかんWrittenWritten word for a letter, used in formal or historical documents such as 「往復書簡」; in everyday speech say 「手紙」.
• Synonym文ふみWrittenLiterary, archaic word for a letter with a poetic flavor, as in 「恋文」; in daily use say 「手紙」.
• Synonym便りたよりNeutralNeutral word for news or word from someone, as in 「故郷からの便り」; the emphasis is on the message itself, which need not be a letter.
• Synonym書状しょじょうWrittenWritten word for a letter, found in formal documents and historical materials; in ordinary speech 「手紙」 is used.
• SynonymレターNeutralLoanword mostly used in compounds like 「ラブレター」 and 「ニュースレター」; rarely on its own.
• Synonym手簡しゅかんWrittenWritten term for a letter written in one's own hand; very rare, and 「手紙」 is the everyday word.
• Synonym雁の使いかりのつかいWrittenAllusive term comparing a letter to a goose sent carrying it; archaic and elegant, seen mainly in classical poetry and prose.
• Synonym雁の文かりのふみWrittenPoetic allusion to letters entrusted to the migrating geese; by extension, any letter, mainly in classical verse and prose.
• Synonym雁の便りかりのたよりWrittenPoetic phrase for letters or news carried by the geese, with a seasonal feel; found in classical verse and prose.
• Synonym雁書がんしょWrittenSino-Japanese literary word for a letter, from the legend of Su Wu's goose-borne message; mostly in poetry and prose.
• Synonym信書しんしょFormalFormal, legal term for a document sent to a specific recipient to convey intentions or facts, as in 「信書の秘密」; everyday speech uses 「手紙」.
• Synonym書札しょさつWrittenWritten word for letters and documents; extremely rare today, when 「手紙」 is said instead.
• Synonym書信しょしんWrittenWritten word for a letter; very rare, with 「手紙」 the normal choice in daily life.
• Related玉梓たまずさWrittenElegant archaism for a treasured letter, especially a love letter; in daily use say 「手紙」.

For everyday letters, 「手紙」 is the default. Use 「書簡」 in formal or historical documents, 「便り」 for news or word from someone, and 「信書」 in legal contexts. 「レター」 appears mostly in compounds, while 「雁書」, 「玉梓」 and the other goose and literary terms are classical flourishes best left to poetry and prose.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 遠隔地えんかくちにいる人ひとに第三者だいさんしゃにより届とどけられることや、一定時間いっていじかんを経過けいかしてから読よまれることを期待きたいし、用件ようけん等とうを記しるした文書ぶんしょ。封ふうをしているもの、即すなわち、封書ふうしょを言いうことが多おおく、また、現在げんざいでは、郵便ゆうびんにより伝つたえられるものを指さす場合ばあいが多おおい。
2. 和文わぶん通話つうわ表ひょうで「て」を表あらわす。