(でんぽう)

でんぽう
noun
telegram
1. telegram
A message sent by telegraph.
電報(でんぽう)(おく)った。
I sent a telegram.
電報(でんぽう)()()った。
I received a telegram.
結婚式(けっこんしき)祝電(しゅくでん)(とど)いた。
Congratulatory telegrams arrived at the wedding.

電報(でんぽう) refers to telegrams, which are still used in Japan for formal occasions.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 電報(でんぽう)(おく)る/()つ: to send a telegram
  • 電報(でんぽう)(とど)く: telegram arrives
  • 電報(でんぽう)()()る: to receive a telegram

TYPES:

  • 祝電(しゅくでん): congratulatory telegram (weddings, etc.)
  • 弔電(ちょうでん): condolence telegram (funerals)

CULTURE:
While telegrams are obsolete for everyday communication, they remain important for formal Japanese occasions. Sending a 祝電(しゅくでん) to weddings is still a common practice.

Note: NTT still offers telegram services in Japan.