Translation guide
A postcard is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. In Japanese, the standard term is はがき, but there are specific types and related expressions.
はがき
postcard
A typical postcard for mailing, often with a pre-printed stamp.
The most common word for postcard. Can be written as 葉書.
旅行先からはがきを送ります。
I will send a postcard from my travel destination.
Official postcard issued by the post office, with a pre-printed stamp.
郵便はがきを買ってください。
Please buy a postal postcard.
A postcard with a photograph or illustration on one side, often sold as a souvenir.
Picture postcard, literally 'picture postcard'.
この絵はがきはきれいですね。
This picture postcard is beautiful, isn't it?
A postcard that includes a detachable reply card, often used for RSVPs.
Round-trip postcard; consists of two attached cards, one for sending and one for the reply.
結婚式の返信は往復はがきで送ってください。
Please send your RSVP for the wedding using the reply-paid postcard.
A postcard issued by the government, often with a pre-printed stamp and specific design.
Government-issued postcard, as opposed to privately made ones.
官製はがきは郵便局で売っています。
Government-issued postcards are sold at the post office.
A postcard made by a private company, not the post office.
Privately made postcard; requires you to affix your own stamp.
私製はがきには切手を貼ってください。
Please affix a stamp to the private postcard.
In Japan, postcards are often written vertically. The address is written on the right side, and the sender's address on the left. When writing horizontally, follow the same format as a letter.