Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'mail box' is expressed differently depending on whether you mean a public collection box, a private home mailbox, or a digital inbox. The most common term for a public post box is ポスト, while a home mailbox is often 郵便受け. For email, メールボックス or 受信箱 are used.
A red or public box on the street where you deposit outgoing mail.
The most common word for a public mail collection box. It is a loanword from English and widely understood.
あの角にポストがあります。
There is a mail box on that corner.
手紙をポストに入れてください。
Please put the letter in the mail box.
A slightly more formal or explicit term, literally 'postal post'. Used in official contexts or to avoid ambiguity.
郵便ポストはどこですか？
Where is the mail box?
A box at your house or apartment where mail is delivered.
The standard term for a home mailbox or letterbox. It literally means 'mail receiver'.
郵便受けをチェックしてください。
Please check the mail box.
新しい郵便受けを買いました。
I bought a new mail box.
Sometimes used informally for a home mailbox, but primarily means a public collection box. Context usually clarifies.
May cause confusion; 郵便受け is clearer for a private mailbox.
The folder or location where incoming emails are stored.
The standard term for an email inbox. Literally 'receiving box'.
受信箱を確認してください。
Please check your inbox.
Direct loanword from English, used in some software interfaces.
インボックスに新しいメールが届きました。
A new email has arrived in your inbox.
ポスト usually refers to the red public collection boxes. 郵便受け is the box at your door. メールボックス can mean either a physical mailbox or an email inbox, so context is important.
ポストに手紙を出しに行きます。
I'm going to mail a letter at the post box.
郵便受けに新聞が入っていました。
The newspaper was in the mail box.
A loanword from English, often used for a physical mailbox, especially in modern or Western-style contexts. Can also refer to email inbox.
メールボックスに郵便が届いています。
Mail has arrived in the mail box.
家のポストを見てきて。
Go check the mail box at home.
Commonly used for email inbox, especially in IT contexts. Can be ambiguous with physical mailbox.
メールボックスがいっぱいです。
Your mail box is full.