書簡(しょかん)

しょかん
noun
letter; written correspondence
1. letter; written correspondence; epistle
A written message sent from one person to another, especially a formal or literary letter. More elevated in tone than the everyday word 手紙.
書簡(しょかん)を送(おく)る。
To send a letter.
親(した)しい友人(ゆうじん)に書簡(しょかん)をしたためた。
I wrote a letter to a close friend.
歴史的(れきしてき)に貴重(きちょう)な書簡(しょかん)が博物館(はくぶつかん)に展示(てんじ)されている。
Historically valuable letters are on display at the museum.

A formal or literary word for a letter or piece of written correspondence. Composed of 書(しょ) (writing) + 簡(かん) (letter/note). More elevated than 手紙(てがみ) and often used in literary, academic, or historical contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 書簡(しょかん)を送(おく)る: to send a letter
  • 書簡(しょかん)を交(か)わす: to exchange letters
  • 書簡集(しょかんしゅう): collected letters; epistolary collection
  • 公開(こうかい)書簡(しょかん): open letter
  • 親書(しんしょ): personal letter (from a head of state)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 手紙(てがみ): letter — the everyday, general-purpose word for a letter
  • 書状(しょじょう): written document, letter — similarly formal, often used for official or legal correspondence
  • 便(たよ)り: letter, news — warm and personal in tone

USAGE:
Commonly encountered in literary criticism, historical studies, and formal announcements. The expression 公開(こうかい)書簡(しょかん) (open letter) is frequently used in news media.

general
Added 2026.3.28 21:51
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