Translation guide
In Japanese, the way you write a personal letter depends heavily on the relationship, formality, and medium. This guide covers common expressions for referring to personal letters, writing them, and key cultural conventions.
The most common, neutral way to refer to a personal letter in Japanese.
The standard word for 'letter', used for both personal and formal correspondence. Safe in most contexts.
友達に手紙を書いた。
I wrote a letter to my friend.
祖母から手紙が届いた。
I received a letter from my grandmother.
Literally 'private correspondence'. Used to distinguish personal letters from business or official ones. More formal and often written.
これは私信ですので、お気になさらず。
This is a personal letter, so please don't feel obligated to reply.
Explicitly 'personal letter'. Used when you need to emphasize the personal nature, but 手紙 alone is usually enough.
個人的な手紙を送ってもいいですか？
May I send you a personal letter?
When you want to emphasize the informal, warm nature of a personal letter.
A natural way to describe a letter to someone close. Not a fixed term, but a common phrase.
親しい人への手紙は、敬語を使わなくても大丈夫です。
When writing a letter to someone close, you don't need to use keigo.
A slightly literary or warm word for a letter or news from someone. Often used in phrases like お便り (honorific) or 便りを待つ (wait for a letter).
久しぶりに彼女から便りがあった。
I heard from her after a long time (received a letter).
お便り楽しみにしています。
I look forward to hearing from you (in a letter).
How to say 'write a personal letter' or describe the act of letter writing.
The standard verb phrase for writing a letter.
週末に手紙を書くつもりです。
I plan to write a letter this weekend.
A formal, literary verb for writing a letter. Often used in set phrases or formal contexts.
心を込めて手紙をしたためました。
I wrote a letter with heartfelt care.
In modern contexts, 'personal letter' might refer to a personal email or message.
The standard word for email. Use 個人的なメール for 'personal email' if needed.
個人的なメールを送りました。
I sent a personal email.
Used for messages on LINE, chat apps, etc. 個人的なメッセージ means a personal/private message.
Japanese personal letters often include seasonal greetings (時候の挨拶). This is a key cultural element.
Including a seasonal greeting is standard in Japanese personal letters, especially to someone you don't see often. It shows consideration.
手紙の最初に時候の挨拶を書きます。
At the beginning of a letter, I write a seasonal greeting.
The katakana word パーソナルレター is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick with 手紙 or 個人的な手紙.
In personal letters, pronouns like 私 (I) and あなた (you) are often omitted when clear from context. Overusing them can sound unnatural or distant.
手紙 is a letter in an envelope, while はがき is a postcard. Personal letters are usually 手紙, but postcards are also used for short personal notes.
日本の友達から手紙をもらいました。
I received a personal letter from my friend in Japan.
彼女は毎月私に手紙をくれます。
She writes me personal letters every month.
Can I send you a personal message?