文通|ぶんつうbuntsuu[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbcorrespondence; exchange of letters
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 文通する(ぶんつうする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 文通します(ぶんつうします) |
| Negative (nai) | 文通しない(ぶんつうしない) |
| polite (masen) | 文通しません(ぶんつうしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 文通せず・文通せぬ(ぶんつうせず・ぶんつうせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 文通した(ぶんつうした) |
| polite (mashita) | 文通しました(ぶんつうしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 文通しなかった(ぶんつうしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 文通しませんでした(ぶんつうしませんでした) |
| Te form | 文通して(ぶんつうして) |
| Potential | 文通できる(ぶんつうできる) |
| Passive | 文通される(ぶんつうされる) |
| Causative | 文通させる(ぶんつうさせる) |
| Causative passive | 文通させられる(ぶんつうさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 文通すれば(ぶんつうすれば) |
| tara | 文通したら(ぶんつうしたら) |
| Volitional | 文通しよう(ぶんつうしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 文通しましょう(ぶんつうしましょう) |
| Imperative | 文通しろ(ぶんつうしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym通信つうしんNeutralBroader term for communication, including phone and networks; 「文通」 refers specifically to exchanging letters with someone.
- SynonymコレスポンデンスNeutralLoanword for exchanging letters or emails, but rarely used; in everyday speech say 「文通」 or 「やり取り」.
- Related交信こうしんNeutralTechnical term for radio communication, exchanging signals over the airwaves; 「文通」 is about writing letters.
- Related音信おんしんWrittenWritten word for news or tidings from someone, as in 「音信不通」; it concerns whether contact exists, while 「文通」 is the letter exchange itself.
- Relatedメール交換メールこうかんNeutralModern term for sending emails back and forth; 「文通」 originally referred to paper letters.
- Antonym対面たいめんNeutralAntonym: meeting face to face, as opposed to the letter exchange that 「文通」 describes.
- Antonym面談めんだんNeutralAntonym: talking face to face, often a formal meeting at school or work, in contrast to corresponding by letter.
Use 「文通」 for exchanging letters, as in 「ペンフレンドと文通する」 or 「文通相手」. For communication in general, including phone and networks, say 「通信」; for email, 「メール交換」; for news of someone, 「音信」. The opposite of writing is meeting: 「対面」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


