はがき
Meanings
1
abbreviationusually written using kana alone
Abbreviation of 郵便葉書 (postal card). The standard word for a postcard in Japanese.
See also: 郵便はがき
I sent a postcard from my travel destination.
I'm going to buy New Year's postcards.
2
usually written using kana alone
A brief written message or note, not necessarily a postal card. Often used in compounds like メモはがき.
I wrote a short message on a card and left it on the desk.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に葉書を送るto send a postcard to someone
I sent a postcard to my friend from my travel destination.
- 葉書を書くto write a postcard
I wrote a postcard expressing my gratitude to my grandmother.
- 葉書が届くfor a postcard to arrive
The postcard I sent last week finally arrived.
- 葉書に切手を貼るto put a stamp on a postcard
I put a stamp on the postcard and dropped it in the mailbox.