通信販売

• Reading: つうしんはんばい
• Romaji: tsuushin hanbai
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (tsuu) — pass through, communicate; 信 (shin) — message, trust; 販 (han) — sell, trade; 売 (bai) — sell
• Pronunciation: /tsɯː.ɕiɴ.haɴ.ba.i/

Meaning

Mail order; online shopping. A method of purchasing goods remotely through catalogues, television, or the internet with delivery by post.

A noun often abbreviated to 通販 (tsuuhan) in everyday speech. Originally referred to catalogue-based mail-order shopping, but now encompasses all forms of remote purchasing including internet shopping. Common collocations include 通信販売サイト (tsuushin hanbai saito, online shopping site) and テレビ通信販売 (terebi tsuushin hanbai, TV shopping). Governed by the 特定商取引法 (tokutei shou torihiki hou, Specified Commercial Transactions Act).

Examples

1. 通信販売で買った服がサイズに合わなかった。 The clothes I bought through mail order didn't fit.
2. 最近は通信販売の利用者が急増している。 The number of mail order users has been rapidly increasing lately.
3. 通信販売のトラブルは消費者センターに相談できる。 You can consult a consumer center about issues with mail order purchases.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, e-commerce, consumer affairs

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 通信 (tsuushin, communication/correspondence) + 販売 (hanbai, sales). Literally 'communication sales' — selling through remote correspondence rather than in person.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal