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.
自分の気持ちを言葉で伝えるのは難しい。
It's difficult to convey your feelings in words.
この絵は平和のメッセージを伝えている。
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.
私の気持ちが相手に伝わった。
My feelings were conveyed to the other person.
この文章では何が言いたいのか伝わらない。
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.
彼は自分の感情を絵で表現した。
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.
会議で自分の意見を述べた。
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).
トラックが荷物を倉庫に運んだ。
The truck conveyed the goods to the warehouse.
救急車がけが人を病院に運んだ。
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.
石油をパイプラインで輸送する。
Oil is conveyed through pipelines.
To convey or transport, often used in medical or industrial contexts (e.g., patients, materials).
患者をストレッチャーで搬送した。
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.
この店は落ち着いた雰囲気を醸し出している。
This shop conveys a calm atmosphere.
To give off or convey a subtle air or hint of something, such as sadness or elegance.
彼女はどこか悲しげな雰囲気を漂わせている。
She conveys a somewhat sad atmosphere.
To make someone feel a certain way; to convey a sense of something. A more direct causative expression.
その音楽は懐かしさを感じさせる。
That music conveys a sense of nostalgia.
To officially hand over ownership or rights to someone else.
To transfer or convey property, rights, or ownership, often in a legal context.
彼は土地の所有権を息子に譲渡した。
He conveyed the land ownership to his son.
To transfer or convey rights, title, or registration. Used in legal and administrative contexts.
特許権を会社に移転する手続きを行った。
We carried out the procedure to convey the patent rights to the company.
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.
私は彼に真実を伝えた。
I conveyed the truth to him.
真実が彼に伝わった。
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.
ご家族によろしくお伝えください。
Please convey my best regards to your family.
A set phrase; do not translate literally.
言葉では伝えきれないほど感謝しています。
Words cannot convey how grateful I am.