Translation guide
The English verb "convey" covers a wide range of meanings, from physically transporting something to communicating ideas or feelings. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for each core meaning, focusing on natural, everyday usage.
To express or make something known to someone, especially in words or through art.
The most common and versatile verb for conveying information, feelings, or messages. It can be used in both spoken and written contexts.
It's difficult to convey your feelings in words.
This painting conveys a message of peace.
Intransitive counterpart of 伝える. Used when the message or feeling is conveyed (by itself) or gets across to someone. Often used to describe whether communication was successful.
My feelings were conveyed to the other person.
This text doesn't convey what it wants to say.
To express or convey through a medium, such as art, music, or language. Emphasizes the act of giving form to an idea or feeling.
He conveyed his emotions through a painting.
To state or express in a formal or written context. Often used for opinions, facts, or official statements.
I conveyed my opinion at the meeting.
To move something or someone physically from one location to another.
The standard verb for carrying or transporting objects. Can be used for people in certain contexts (e.g., ambulance).
The truck conveyed the goods to the warehouse.
The ambulance conveyed the injured person to the hospital.
To transport, especially on a large scale or in a logistical context. More formal than 運ぶ.
Oil is conveyed through pipelines.
To convey or transport, often used in medical or industrial contexts (e.g., patients, materials).
The patient was conveyed on a stretcher.
To give a particular impression or sensation, often through non-verbal means.
To create or exude an atmosphere, mood, or feeling. Often used for places, people, or works of art.
This shop conveys a calm atmosphere.
To give off or convey a subtle air or hint of something, such as sadness or elegance.
To make someone feel a certain way; to convey a sense of something. A more direct causative expression.
That music conveys a sense of nostalgia.
To officially hand over ownership or rights to someone else.
伝える is transitive (someone conveys something), while 伝わる is intransitive (something is conveyed or gets across). Use 伝える when you focus on the act of conveying, and 伝わる when you focus on the result or whether the message reached the recipient.
I conveyed the truth to him.
The truth was conveyed to him.
English 'convey' is often used in abstract ways that do not map directly to a single Japanese verb. For example, 'convey my regards' is not 伝える but rather よろしくお伝えください. Always consider the specific meaning you want to express.
Please convey my best regards to your family.
A set phrase; do not translate literally.
Words cannot convey how grateful I am.
She conveys a somewhat sad atmosphere.
We carried out the procedure to convey the patent rights to the company.