切手
Meanings
1
postage stamp
abbreviation
Abbreviation of 郵便切手. The most common meaning; used for any adhesive stamp for postal use.
See also: 郵便切手
I put a stamp on the letter and dropped it in the mailbox.
2
merchandise certificate; trading stamp
abbreviation
Abbreviation of 商品切手. A voucher or stamp given by stores that can be collected and exchanged for goods. Less common than the postage stamp sense.
See also: 商品切手
In this shopping district, you get merchandise certificates when you shop.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に切手を貼るto stick a stamp on something (e.g. an envelope)
I put a stamp on the envelope and mailed it at the post office.
- 切手を買うto buy stamps
You can buy stamps even at a convenience store.
- 切手が足りないto not have enough postage
The letter came back because there wasn't enough postage.
- 〈事〉で商品切手をもらうto receive a merchandise stamp for something (e.g. a promotion or survey)
I filled out the survey and got a merchandise stamp in return.
Expressions
- 切手を溜めるcollect stamps