Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "手紙", "てがみ", "親翰", "尺牘"
All represent the core concept "letter", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
手紙
てがみ (tegami)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
てがみ
てがみ (tegami)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
親翰
しんかん (shinkan)
C2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
尺牘
せっとく (sekkitoku)
C2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "letter" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "手紙", "てがみ", "親翰", "尺牘" based on context.
- 手紙 (てがみ (tegami) - Level: N5): Maps to "letter" and is used when Refers to a written letter that is sent, typically by mail. 「手紙を書く」.
- てがみ (てがみ (tegami) - Level: N5): Maps to "letter" and is used when Refers to a physical written message sent by mail. Not used for digital messages like email..
- 親翰 (しんかん (shinkan) - Level: C2): Maps to "letter from the sovereign" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
- 尺牘 (せっとく (sekkitoku) - Level: C2): Maps to "a letter (archaic)" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
Context for "手紙"
母に長い手紙を書きました。
I wrote a long letter to my mother.
Context for "てがみ"
遠い家族に手紙を書きました。
I wrote a letter to my distant family.
Context for "親翰"
私は親翰に興味があります。
I am interested in letter from the sovereign.
Context for "尺牘"
私は尺牘に興味があります。
I am interested in a letter (archaic).
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "母に長い ＿＿＿ を書きました。" (Meaning: "I wrote a long letter to my mother.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "手紙" is correct here because it represents "letter" in the context: "I wrote a long letter to my mother.".