The Meaning of sokutatsu [速達] In Japanese

速達
そくたつ
Romaji: sokutatsu N4

What does 速達 mean?

Translation and Meaning

express delivery, rapid delivery, expedited mail

Definition

速達 refers to an express postal or courier service that delivers items faster than standard mail. It is used for time-sensitive documents or goods, typically as a paid option offered by postal authorities and courier firms in Japan.

Type

Noun (express delivery service)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Express postal service for time-sensitive items.
  • Delivery option that improves speed over routine mail.
  • Often used in business or legal contexts to indicate urgent sending or guaranteed delivery times.

Etymology

soku + tatsu are the on’yomi readings of the kanji 速 and 達, forming a Sino-Japanese compound that denotes fast-reaching delivery.

Origin

Meiji period onward; as Japan modernized its postal system, the term 速達 emerged to denote expedited mail and was standardized in official guidance.

Composition

  • 速 means fast or rapid; 達 means to reach or attain; together they convey fast arrival or delivery.

Usage

Used in formal and business contexts to specify sending by express service. Common in postal and courier communications, shipping labels, and instructions, as in phrases indicating that something should be sent by express mail; typically accompanies verbs like 発送する or 送る and is used with で to mark the method.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a courier sprinting to the door; 速 suggests speed, 達 indicates reaching the destination, so sokutatsu is a quick arrival.

Variations

  • 急送 (kyūsō) — urgent delivery, rush shipping
  • 速達便 (sokutatsubin) — expedited express service
  • 宅急便 (takkyūbin) — home courier delivery
  • 通常郵便 (tsūjō yūbin) — standard mail

Example Phrases

  • 速達で今日中に書類を発送しておきます。
    Sokutatsu de kyoujuu ni shorui o hassou shite okimasu.
    I will send the documents by express mail today.
    Lista:
    • 速達で (sokutatsu de) – by express delivery
    • 今日中に (kyoujuu ni) – by the end of today
    • 書類を (shorui o) – documents
    • 発送して (hassou shite) – shipping
    • おきます (okimasu) – will do in advance
    The word 「速達」 indicates express delivery; 速達で shows sending by express mail.
速達