便(たよ)り

たより
noun
news, letter, correspondence
archaicliterarycommunication
See also: 頼(たよ)り (reliance)
1. news, word, tidings
Information or updates from someone, especially someone far away.
息子(むすこ)から便(たよ)りがあった。
I received word from my son.
便(たよ)りがないのは良(よ)い便(たよ)り。
No news is good news.
Proverb
久(ひさ)しぶりに故郷(ふるさと)の母(はは)から便(たよ)りが届(とど)いた。
After a long time, I received a letter from my mother back home.
2. letter, correspondence
Written communication, especially a personal letter.
友人(ゆうじん)に便(たよ)りを書(か)く。
To write a letter to a friend.
年賀状(ねんがじょう)は新年(しんねん)の便(たよ)りだ。
New Year's cards are New Year's correspondence.
旅先(たびさき)から便(たよ)りを送(おく)った。
I sent a letter from my travel destination.

Common expressions

Proverb

Similar words

Note: Though somewhat old-fashioned, 便(たよ)り is still used especially when referring to news from people far away or occasional correspondence.

Related Words

Related: 手紙(てがみ) (letter)
Compare: 連絡(れんらく) (Contact, communication)
Compare: 消息(しょうそく) (whereabouts)
Compare: 音沙汰(おとさた) (news)
Compare: 書簡(しょかん) (letter)
Compare: 音信(おんしん) (correspondence)
general
Added 2026.1.12 23:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
03000/03411_tayori