書留郵便(かきとめゆうびん)

A compound of 書留(かきとめ) (registered, recorded) and 郵便(ゆうびん) (mail). Often shortened to just 書留(かきとめ) in everyday conversation.

Types

• 一般書留(いっぱんかきとめ) — general registered mail (full tracking, higher compensation)
• 簡易書留(かんいかきとめ) — simplified registered mail (basic tracking, lower cost and compensation)
• 現金書留(げんきんかきとめ) — cash registered mail (for sending money in a special envelope)

Common collocations

• 書留郵便(かきとめゆうびん)で送(おく)る — to send by registered mail
• 書留郵便(かきとめゆうびん)を受(う)け取(と)る — to receive registered mail
• 書留郵便(かきとめゆうびん)の追跡(ついせき) — tracking of registered mail

Related words

• 普通郵便(ふつうゆうびん) — regular mail (no tracking or compensation)
• 速達(そくたつ) — express delivery
• 配達証明(はいたつしょうめい) — delivery certification (an add-on service proving delivery)
• 内容証明(ないようしょうめい) — certified content mail (certifies the content of the letter)

Practical note

Registered mail in Japan requires the sender to go to a post office counter; it cannot be dropped in a mailbox. The recipient must sign or stamp (印鑑(いんかん) or signature) upon delivery. It is commonly used for sending important documents, certificates, and valuables.