電子(でんし)メール

Composed of 電子(でんし) (electronic) + メール (mail, from English). The formal, full-length term for email, used in official notices, legal documents, business forms, and signage — places where the casual shortened form メール would feel too informal.

Common collocations

• 電子(でんし)メールを送(おく)る: to send an email
• 電子(でんし)メールを受(う)け取(と)る: to receive an email
• 電子(でんし)メールアドレス: email address
• 電子(でんし)メールで連絡(れんらく)する: to contact by email
• 電子(でんし)メールマガジン: email newsletter

Similar words

• メール: mail / email — the everyday shortened form; far more common in conversation. Ambiguously refers to email, SMS, or messaging depending on context.
• Eメール: e-mail — another written form, seen on forms and older materials.
• メッセージ: message — broader; includes chat app messages, SMS, etc.

Usage

In conversation, simply say メール. Use 電子(でんし)メール in formal writing, government documents, or when explicitly distinguishing email from other kinds of messages (such as postal mail, SMS, or in-app chat). Historically the formal term was needed to distinguish email from 郵便(ゆうびん) (postal mail), but as email became ubiquitous the short form took over.