Translation guide
A person who delivers goods, food, mail, or packages. Japanese uses different terms depending on what is being delivered and the context.
A person who delivers packages, parcels, or general goods, such as from a courier service or online shopping.
The most common and neutral term for a delivery person who brings packages, parcels, or goods. Used for courier services, online shopping deliveries, etc.
The delivery person brought the package.
Delivery people carry many packages every day.
Specifically a delivery person for a courier/home delivery service (takkyubin). More specific than 配達員 alone.
The courier delivery person came.
Similar to 配達員, but often used in business or logistics contexts. Slightly more formal.
The delivery person transports goods from the warehouse to the store.
A person who delivers food from restaurants or food delivery services.
Traditional term for a food delivery person, especially from a restaurant that does its own deliveries. Still understood, but becoming less common with app-based services.
The food delivery person brought the soba.
Modern term for a delivery person working for food delivery apps like Uber Eats or Demae-can.
The delivery person brought the pizza.
Specifically an Uber Eats delivery person. Use only when referring to that service.
A person who delivers mail or post.
A person who delivers newspapers, typically early in the morning.
配達員 is the most common general term for a delivery person. 配送員 is more often used in logistics or business contexts, referring to transport between locations rather than final delivery to a customer.
The delivery person brought the package to my house.
The delivery person transported goods from the warehouse to the store.
When referring to a delivery person politely or directly, you can add さん to the occupation word, e.g., 配達員さん. This is common in customer service situations.
Thank you, delivery person.
The Uber Eats delivery person is riding a bicycle.
The mail carrier always delivers with a smile.
The newspaper boy is delivering on his bicycle.