郵便受け

• Reading: ゆうびんうけ
• Romaji: yuubinuke
• Kanji breakdown: 郵 (yuu) — mail, post; 便 (bin) — convenience, service; 受 (uke) — receive, accept
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.biɴ.ɯ.ke/

Meaning

Mailbox; letter box; mail slot. The receptacle where delivered post is placed.

A noun referring to the mailbox or letterbox at one's home where the postal carrier deposits mail. Composed of 郵便 (yuubin, mail/post) and 受け (uke, receiving). Specifically refers to the receiving box, not the red collection boxes for outgoing mail (those are ポスト or 郵便ポスト). In Japanese apartment buildings, 郵便受け are typically rows of small locked boxes near the entrance.

Examples

1. 郵便受けにチラシがたくさん入っていた。 The mailbox was stuffed with flyers.
2. 毎朝郵便受けを確認するのが習慣だ。 Checking the mailbox every morning is a habit of mine.
3. 郵便受けの鍵をなくしてしまった。 I lost the key to my mailbox.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, housing, postal services

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Native compound: 郵便 (yuubin, postal mail, from Sino-Japanese) + 受け (uke, receiving, from native Japanese 受ける). Literally 'mail receiver' — the container that receives delivered mail.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal