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.
伝える
communicate (convey)
コミュニケーションを取る
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.
彼にそのニュースを伝えてください。
Please communicate the news to him.
自分の気持ちをうまく伝えられなかった。
I couldn't communicate my feelings well.
To inform or let someone know. Often used for factual information or notifications.
変更があればすぐに知らせてください。
Please communicate any changes immediately.
To contact or get in touch, often for practical purposes like making arrangements or giving updates.
後でメールで連絡します。
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.
チーム内でしっかりコミュニケーションを取ることが大切です。
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.
問題について家族と話し合った。
I communicated with my family about the problem.
Literally 'exchange opinions'. More formal and specific to sharing viewpoints.
会議で意見を交換した。
We communicated our opinions at the meeting.
To express something through actions, art, or presence rather than speech.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be conveyed' or 'to come across'. Often used when feelings or atmosphere are communicated without explicit words.
彼の誠意が伝わってきた。
His sincerity communicated itself to me.
言葉がなくても気持ちは伝わる。
Even without words, feelings can be communicated.
To express or convey through art, music, writing, etc.
彼は絵で自分の感情を表現している。
He communicates his emotions through painting.
To keep communication channels open, often in personal relationships.
To keep in touch mutually. Implies ongoing communication.
卒業後もずっと連絡を取り合っている。
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'.
彼とは音信不通になってしまった。
I've lost communication with him.
To use a particular language to interact.
Pattern: [language] + で話す. The most natural way to say 'communicate in a language'.
日本語で話せますか？
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.
手話を使ってコミュニケーションする。
Communicate using sign language.
伝える is the broadest and can be used for feelings, information, or messages. 知らせる is specifically for informing someone of facts or news. 連絡する is for making contact, often with a practical purpose like scheduling or reporting.
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.