Translation guide
A fast postal delivery service, often with tracking and guaranteed delivery times. In Japan, this is typically referred to by the specific service name or a generic term for fast mail.
Referring to any express or expedited postal delivery
The standard term for express mail within Japan. It means faster delivery than regular mail, usually with a small surcharge.
この手紙を速達で送ってください。
Please send this letter by express mail.
速達だと明日には届きます。
If you send it express, it will arrive tomorrow.
A more formal term for express mail, literally 'express postal mail'. Used in official contexts.
速達郵便で書類を提出しました。
I submitted the documents by express mail.
Referring specifically to the international Express Mail Service (EMS) provided by postal operators
The standard term for international express mail service. Widely understood and used at post offices.
EMSで荷物を送りたいです。
I'd like to send this package by EMS.
EMSは追跡サービスが付いています。
EMS comes with a tracking service.
The official Japanese name for EMS, meaning 'international speed mail'. Less common in everyday speech but seen on forms.
国際スピード郵便（EMS）をご利用ください。
Please use International Speed Mail (EMS).
Referring to express delivery by private companies like Yamato, Sagawa, or FedEx
Yamato Transport's trademarked name for their door-to-door delivery service, often used generically for express parcel delivery.
宅急便で送れば明日着きます。
If you send it by takkyubin, it will arrive tomorrow.
A generic term for express delivery service, used by various couriers.
速達便でお願いします。
Please send it by express delivery.
When sending something express, you can simply say 「速達でお願いします」(そくたつでおねがいします) for domestic mail, or 「EMSでお願いします」(イーエムエスでおねがいします) for international. The staff will understand and apply the appropriate service.
速達 (sokutatsu) is Japan Post's express mail service for letters and small packets. 宅急便 (takkyubin) is Yamato's parcel delivery service, often faster for packages. For documents, 速達 is common; for boxes, 宅急便 or other courier services are typical.