Translation guide
A letter box is a container for receiving incoming mail, typically at a home or office. In Japanese, the most common term is 郵便受け (yūbin'uke), but other words exist depending on context, such as public postboxes or slots in doors.
A box or slot for receiving delivered mail at a residence or office.
The standard term for a mailbox attached to a house or building where mail is delivered.
郵便受けを確認してください。
Please check the letter box.
新しい郵便受けを設置した。
I installed a new letter box.
Commonly used for both home mailboxes and public postboxes. Context usually clarifies which is meant.
ポストに手紙が入っていた。
There was a letter in the letter box.
Less common; can refer to a mailbox but often sounds slightly more formal or old-fashioned.
郵便箱を開ける。
Open the letter box.
A red or blue box on the street where you deposit outgoing mail.
The most common word for a public postbox. Often red in Japan.
角のポストに手紙を出しに行く。
I'm going to drop the letter in the postbox on the corner.
A slot in a door or wall for mail delivery, common in apartments.
Also used for a slot-type mailbox built into a door or wall.
ドアの郵便受けから新聞が落ちた。
The newspaper fell out of the letter box in the door.
Literally 'mail insertion opening'. Technical or formal term for a mail slot.
郵便投入口が詰まっている。
The letter box slot is clogged.
郵便受け (yūbin'uke) is specifically for receiving mail at a residence. ポスト (posuto) can mean either a home mailbox or a public postbox, but context usually makes it clear. When in doubt, use 郵便受け for your own mailbox and ポスト for the red box on the street.
More explicit than ポスト, emphasizing it's for mail. Used when distinction is needed.
郵便ポストはどこですか？
Where is the letter box?