(めいしい)

めいしいれ
noun
business card case; business card holder
1. business card case; business card holder
A small case or holder for carrying and presenting business cards. Considered an essential professional accessory in Japan, where business card exchange is a formal ritual.
(かわ)名刺入(めいしい)れを()った。
I bought a leather business card case.
名刺入(めいしい)れから名刺(めいし)()()した。
I took a business card out of the case.
社会人(しゃかいじん)になったお(いわ)いに(ちち)から名刺入(めいしい)れをもらった。
My father gave me a business card case as a present for starting my career.

Compound of 名刺(めいし) (business card) + ()れ (holder, container). In Japanese business culture, presenting and receiving a business card from a clean, well-kept case is part of basic etiquette.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (かわ)名刺入(めいしい)れ: leather business card case
  • 名刺入(めいしい)れから()す: to take out of the case
  • 名刺入(めいしい)れにしまう: to put away in the case
  • 名刺入(めいしい)れを(わす)れる: to forget one's business card case

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
When receiving a business card from someone of higher rank, the proper etiquette is to place the received card on top of the 名刺入(めいしい)れ rather than putting it away immediately, as a sign of respect.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 名刺(めいし)ケース: business card case (loanword equivalent)
  • 名刺(めいし): business card
  • カードケース: card case (general, may include credit cards)