Translation guide
The English verb 'communicate' covers a wide range of situations, from exchanging information to conveying feelings. In Japanese, the best choice depends on what is being communicated, how, and with whom. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by meaning.
communicate (convey)
communicate (interact)
To tell someone something, pass on information, or make something known.
The most common and versatile verb for conveying information, feelings, or messages. Can be used in both casual and formal settings.
Please communicate the news to him.
To inform or let someone know. Often used for factual information or notifications.
To contact or get in touch, often for practical purposes like making arrangements or giving updates.
I'll communicate with you later by email.
To talk with someone and share thoughts, often implying a two-way exchange.
A common phrase meaning 'to communicate' in the sense of interacting and exchanging ideas. Suitable for both personal and professional contexts.
To express something through actions, art, or presence rather than speech.
To keep communication channels open, often in personal relationships.
To keep in touch mutually. Implies ongoing communication.
To use a particular language to interact.
Pattern: [language] + で話す. The most natural way to say 'communicate in a language'.
I couldn't communicate my feelings well.
変更があればすぐに知らせてください。
Please communicate any changes immediately.
It's important to communicate well within the team.
To discuss or talk things over. Emphasizes mutual conversation to reach understanding or solve a problem.
I communicated with my family about the problem.
Literally 'exchange opinions'. More formal and specific to sharing viewpoints.
We communicated our opinions at the meeting.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be conveyed' or 'to come across'. Often used when feelings or atmosphere are communicated without explicit words.
His sincerity communicated itself to me.
Even without words, feelings can be communicated.
To express or convey through art, music, writing, etc.
He communicates his emotions through painting.
We've continued to communicate even after graduation.
To lose communication, become unreachable. Useful as a warning or negative example.
This means communication has broken down, not 'to communicate'.
I've lost communication with him.
Can you communicate in Japanese?
Pattern: [tool/language] + を使ってコミュニケーションする. More explicit, often used for tools or methods.
Communicate using sign language.
inform of changes
contact by phone
In many natural Japanese sentences, the idea of 'communicate' is implied by the context or a more specific verb. For example, 'I communicated with him' is often just '彼と話した' (I talked with him) or '彼に伝えた' (I told him). Using コミュニケーションする for every instance can sound unnatural.