Translation guide
In Japanese, 'ordinary mail' refers to standard postal services without special handling like express or registered delivery. The most common term is 普通郵便, but other expressions exist depending on context.
The default, non-express, non-registered mail service.
The standard term for ordinary mail, used for letters and parcels sent without special services.
この書類は普通郵便で送ります。
I'll send this document by ordinary mail.
A slightly more conversational way to say 'ordinary mail', literally 'normal mail'.
普通の郵便だと何日かかりますか？
How many days does it take by ordinary mail?
A more formal term, often used in business or official contexts. '通常' means 'usual' or 'regular'.
通常郵便でのお届けとなります。
It will be delivered by regular mail.
Mail without tracking or insurance, contrasted with registered mail (書留).
Explicitly describes ordinary mail as 'not registered mail'. Useful when clarifying the type of service.
大切な書類は書留で、そうでなければ普通の郵便で送ってください。
Please send important documents by registered mail, and others by ordinary mail.
Mail sent without express delivery service, slower but cheaper.
Clarifies that the mail is not express. '速達' means express delivery.
急ぎではないので、速達ではない普通の郵便で結構です。
It's not urgent, so ordinary mail (not express) is fine.
Commonly used when choosing between express and regular service at the post office.
速達にしますか、それとも普通郵便にしますか？
Would you like express or ordinary mail?
普通郵便 is the everyday term for ordinary mail. 通常郵便 is more formal and often appears in written notices or business contexts. In casual conversation, 普通の郵便 is also natural.
Avoid using 平凡な郵便 or 普通な郵便. The correct collocation is 普通郵便 or 普通の郵便.
荷物を普通郵便で送りました。
I sent the package by ordinary mail.
普通郵便だと三日くらいかかります。
Ordinary mail takes about three days.
Often used in contrast with 書留 (registered mail) in everyday conversation.
普通郵便と書留、どちらにしますか？
Which would you like, ordinary mail or registered mail?