Translation guide
How to express 'notify' in Japanese, covering formal notifications, casual informing, and official announcements.
We will notify you by email if there are any changes.
The results will be notified in writing.
General verb meaning 'to inform' or 'let someone know'. Less formal than 通知する, suitable for everyday situations.
Please notify me of your arrival time.
Used for official announcements or notifications, often with a sense of unilateral declaration, such as termination of a contract or a strike notice.
The company notified him of his dismissal.
To tell someone something in a casual or everyday manner, without formal procedures.
Common verb meaning 'to convey' or 'to tell'. Used when passing on information in daily conversation.
I'll notify him (let him know).
Literally 'to teach', but often used to mean 'to tell/inform' in casual contexts. Implies sharing information the listener doesn't know.
Means 'to contact' or 'to get in touch', often used when notifying someone by phone, message, etc.
Notify me (contact me) when you arrive.
To officially report something to authorities, such as police, government, or an institution.
To formally report or notify an authority, such as a change of address or a crime.
I notified the city hall of my change of address.
To report or give a report. Used in business or official contexts, but not necessarily to an authority.
I reported (notified) the accident to the police.
To report to authorities, especially police or emergency services, often about incidents or suspicious activity.
To inform someone beforehand, often required by rules or courtesy.
通知する is formal and often written/system-generated. 知らせる is general 'inform'. 伝える is casual 'pass on a message'. Use 通知する for official notices, 知らせる for letting someone know something, and 伝える for relaying information in conversation.
We will notify you of the meeting schedule. (formal)
Let him know. (general)
Please tell the teacher. (casual relay)
The loanword ノーティファイ is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to the verbs above.
Please notify me if there are any changes.
結果がわかったら教えて。
Let me know (notify me) when you know the results.
If you see a suspicious person, please notify the police.