Translation guide
In Japanese, 'mail order' is commonly expressed with the loanword 通販 (つうはん), short for 通信販売. Other terms exist for specific contexts like catalog shopping or online ordering.
The general concept of ordering goods remotely for delivery, including modern online shopping.
The most common and natural term for mail order in everyday Japanese. It covers catalog, TV, and internet shopping. Often used in compounds like 通販サイト (online shopping site).
この商品は通販で買いました。
I bought this product through mail order.
通販サイトで注文する。
Order from a mail order site.
The full formal term for mail order. Used in official contexts, legal documents, or company names. Less common in casual speech.
通信販売で購入した商品の返品について
Regarding returns of items purchased through mail order
Specifically refers to catalog-based mail order. Used when emphasizing the catalog medium.
カタログ販売は今でも人気があります。
Catalog mail order is still popular.
Emphasizing the use of postal mail to place an order, as opposed to phone or internet.
Literally 'order by postal mail'. Used when the method is specifically postal mail.
郵便での注文も受け付けています。
We also accept orders by mail.
A compound noun meaning 'mail order' (postal mail). Less common than 通販 but clearer about the postal aspect.
郵送注文の場合は、こちらの用紙をご利用ください。
For mail orders, please use this form.
Referring to the mail order sector or a mail order company.
The mail order industry.
通販業界は成長を続けています。
The mail order industry continues to grow.
A mail order company.
大手通販会社に勤めています。
I work for a major mail order company.
While 通販 originally meant catalog or phone ordering, it now commonly includes internet shopping. For purely online shopping, ネット通販 or オンラインショッピング are also used, but 通販 alone is often sufficient.
The literal translation 郵便注文 (ゆうびんちゅうもん) is not idiomatic. Use 通販 or 通信販売 for the general concept, and 郵便での注文 only when emphasizing postal mail.