切手（きって、kiっte）
- stamp

The Japanese word 切手 (きって) means "postage stamp" in English. It refers to a small adhesive paper that is purchased and attached to mail to indicate that postage has been paid. It’s essential for sending letters, postcards, and packages.

⚫︎ 手紙に切手を貼ってください。 Translation: Please put a postage stamp on the letter. ⚫︎ 切手を買うために郵便局へ行きました。 Translation: I went to the post office to buy stamps. ⚫︎ この切手は珍しいデザインですね。 Translation: This postage stamp has a rare design, doesn't it?

You use 切手 when you are talking about or referring to postage stamps. You will use it in conversations about sending mail, collecting stamps, or purchasing stamps. It's a common word used in everyday situations, particularly when discussing postal services.

切手 is typically written in kanji and hiragana: 切手 (きって). The kanji 切 means "to cut" or "to separate," while 手 means "hand." The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always "て". There are no other common ways to write this word.

There are no direct synonyms for 切手 in the same sense. However, depending on the context, you might refer to: ⚫︎ 郵便切手 (ゆうびんきって) - Postage stamp (more formal)

There are no direct antonyms for 切手. However, the opposite concept might be not paying postage or having insufficient postage.

切手を買い忘れたので、手紙が出せません。 ・Translation: I forgot to buy stamps, so I can't send the letter. ・Explanation: This sentence explains a situation where someone can't send a letter because they didn't purchase stamps.

古い切手を集めるのが趣味です。 ・Translation: Collecting old stamps is my hobby. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone's hobby of collecting stamps.

The word 切手 is composed of two kanji. 切 (kiru) meaning "to cut", originally referring to the action of cutting a piece of paper to make a stamp. 手 (te) meaning "hand". Combining these, it literally suggests "cut-out hand paper," highlighting the way stamps were prepared and used.