速達（そくたつ、sokutatsu）
- express mail

The Japanese word 速達 (そくたつ - sokutatsu) refers to "express mail" or "special delivery." It's a postal service that guarantees faster delivery than standard mail. When you send something 速達, it means the item will be delivered much more quickly. This service prioritizes speed, making it suitable for urgent documents, important packages, or anything that needs to arrive promptly.

⚫︎ 速達で手紙を送りました。 Translation: I sent the letter by express mail. ⚫︎ 速達料金は高いですが、急ぎの書類には便利です。 Translation: Express mail fees are high, but it's convenient for urgent documents. ⚫︎ 彼女は誕生日プレゼントを速達で送ってくれた。 Translation: She sent the birthday present by express mail.

You use 速達 when you want to emphasize the speed of delivery. You would use it when going to a post office, filling out a postal form, or discussing mail services. You'll typically encounter this word when you need to send something urgently.

速達 is typically written in kanji and hiragana. • Kanji: 速達 • Hiragana: そくたつ There are no variations in okurigana. It's always written as 速達

There aren't many direct synonyms for 速達. However, words or phrases related to speed or urgency can be used in a similar context. • 特別扱い (とくべつあつかい) – Special handling • 至急 (しきゅう) – Urgent (though not specifically for mail) • EMS (国際スピード郵便 - こくさいすぴーどゆうびん) - Express Mail Service (for international)

• 普通郵便 (ふつうゆうびん) - Regular mail • 定形郵便 (ていけいゆうびん) – Standard mail

この書類は明日までに届ける必要があるので、速達でお願いします。 • Translation: I need to have these documents delivered by tomorrow, so please send them by express mail. • Explanation: This sentence highlights the need for quick delivery, making 速達 the appropriate choice.

大事な契約書なので、万が一のことを考えて速達で送りました。 • Translation: Because it is an important contract, I sent it by express mail just in case. • Explanation: This example emphasizes the importance of the document and the sender's desire to ensure it arrives quickly and safely.

The word 速達 is a compound word. 速 (そく) means "fast" or "speed," and 達 (たつ) means "to reach" or "to arrive". Therefore 速達 literally means "fast arrival" or "quick delivery."