書 留(かきとめ)

かきとめ

noun

registered mail

1. registered mail

A postal service that provides tracking and proof of delivery for important items.

大事(だいじ)な書類(しょるい)は書留(かきとめ)で送(おく)った方(ほう)がいい。

Important documents should be sent by registered mail.

書留(かきとめ)で届(とど)いた荷物(にもつ)にサインした。

I signed for the package that arrived by registered mail.

現金(げんきん)書留(かきとめ)で送金(そうきん)した。

I sent money by cash registered mail.

書留(かきとめ) is registered mail that provides tracking and requires signature upon delivery.

Types of registered mail in Japan:

一般(いっぱん)書留(かきとめ) (regular registered mail)
簡易(かんい)書留(かきとめ) (simplified registered mail)
現金(げんきん)書留(かきとめ) (cash registered mail - for sending money)

Common expressions

書留(かきとめ)で送(おく)る (to send by registered mail)
書留(かきとめ)料金(りょうきん) (registered mail fee)

The name comes from the fact that the mail is 'recorded' (書(か)き留(と)める = to write down/record).

Related Words

Related: 書(か)き留(と)める (to write down — same characters, unrelated word)

Related: 配達証明(はいたつしょうめい) (proof of delivery)

Related: 普通郵便(ふつうゆうびん) (regular mail)

Compare: 速達便(そくたつびん) (express mail)

general

Added 2026.1.13 21:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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