Translation guide
Used on envelopes or packages to indicate that mail should be delivered to someone at an address where they do not normally receive mail, often via another person or organization.
care of (on mail)
Written on envelopes before the recipient's name when sending to an organization or another person's address.
c/o (abbreviation)
Sometimes used in addresses, but 気付 is more common in Japanese.
Indicate that a letter or package should be delivered to a specific person at an address where they do not normally reside, such as a company, hotel, or friend's house.
The standard way to write 'care of' on Japanese mail. Place it before the recipient's name, after the organization or intermediary's address.
Mr. Taro Yamada, care of Tanaka Trading Co., Ltd.
Mr. Smith, care of Hotel Okura
In casual contexts, such as leaving a note for someone at a friend's house, you might write the intermediary's name followed by 方 or 宛, but 気付 is still preferred for mail.
Taro Yamada, c/o Mr. Tanaka
A formal pattern used in business correspondence, meaning 'to △△, care of ○○'. The 行き (ゆき) indicates the final recipient.
To the Sales Department, care of Tokyo Branch Office
The English phrase 'care of' cannot be translated word-for-word into Japanese. Always use 気付 (きづけ) or the abbreviation c/o in addresses. Using 世話 (せわ) or other words for 'care' would be incorrect.
In Japanese, the address is written from largest to smallest unit. 気付 is placed after the organization or intermediary's name and before the final recipient's name. For example: 〒100-0001 東京都千代田区 株式会社山田 気付 鈴木一郎様.