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.
Please send this letter by express mail.
If you send it express, it will arrive tomorrow.
A more formal term for express mail, literally 'express postal mail'. Used in official contexts.
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.
I'd like to send this package by EMS.
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.
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.
If you send it by takkyubin, it will arrive tomorrow.
A generic term for express delivery service, used by various couriers.
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.
Please use International Speed Mail (EMS).