Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'recipient' is expressed through various nouns and grammatical patterns depending on context, such as the receiver of a physical item, the addressee of a message, or the beneficiary of an action.
The person who receives something tangible, like a package, letter, or present.
Standard term for the recipient of a delivery, parcel, or registered mail. Common on forms and official documents.
The recipient of the package is Mr. Tanaka.
Variant of 受取人, slightly more explicit. Used in similar contexts.
Please sign as the recipient.
Formal term for recipient, often used in legal or business contexts for receiving goods or payments.
The recipient should confirm receipt of the goods.
The person to whom a written or electronic communication is directed.
Refers to the destination address or the named recipient on an envelope or email. Often used in headers.
Please check the email recipient.
Specifically the receiver of a transmission, like an email or fax. Technical nuance.
Formal term for the named addressee on a letter or document. Rare in everyday speech.
The person for whom an action is performed, often expressed through giving/receiving verbs.
These auxiliary verbs indicate the direction of benefit. 〜てあげる means 'do for someone else', 〜てくれる means 'someone does for me/us', and 〜てもらう means 'have someone do for me/us'. The recipient is marked by に.
I read a book to my friend (the recipient).
He taught me English (I am the recipient).
I had the teacher correct my letter (the teacher is the giver, I am the recipient).
Using verbs like あげる, くれる, もらう directly. The recipient is marked by に for あげる/くれる, and the giver by に/から for もらう.
I gave flowers to her (she is the recipient).
A person who receives a prize, scholarship, or recognition.
Specifically a prize winner or award recipient. Common in news and formal contexts.
The recipients of the Nobel Prize were announced.
Recipient of a grant, pension, or welfare benefits. Used in administrative contexts.
Very formal term for a recipient of an award or degree. Rarely used outside official ceremonies.
A person who receives an organ, tissue, or blood transfusion.
受取人 (uketorinin) is the person who physically receives an item, while 宛先 (atesaki) is the address or named recipient on a letter/package. Use 受取人 for the actual receiver, and 宛先 for the written destination.
The recipient was absent, so we took the package back.
The recipient address was wrong, so the letter came back.
English 'recipient' is often not directly translated. In many cases, Japanese uses the giving/receiving verb structure (〜てくれる/もらう) or simply omits the word when context is clear. Using a noun like 受取人 in casual conversation can sound overly formal.
The book he sent me. (lit. 'the book he sent for me' – I am the recipient)
このメッセージの受信者は一人だけです。
There is only one recipient of this message.
封筒に名宛人を明記してください。
Please clearly write the recipient's name on the envelope.
I received a present from my friend (I am the recipient).
生活保護の受給者が増えている。
The number of welfare recipients is increasing.
The recipients of the degrees went up to the stage.
There is a recipient who needs an urgent blood transfusion.