Translation guide
The English verb 'send' covers a wide range of actions: dispatching objects, transmitting messages, causing someone to go, and more. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is sent, how, and to whom. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended meaning.
To dispatch a physical item to a recipient, typically via postal mail, delivery service, or courier.
The most common and general verb for sending physical items. Can be used for letters, packages, gifts, etc.
I sent a letter.
I'm going to send a package, so please tell me your address.
Specifically means 'to send by mail/post'. More formal than 送る.
Please send the documents by mail.
Used for dispatching goods, orders, or shipments, often in business contexts.
We have dispatched your order today.
To transmit a written or digital message to someone.
The same verb 送る is used for sending digital messages like emails, texts, or DMs.
Please send me an email.
I just sent you a LINE message.
A technical term for transmitting data or signals. Common in IT contexts.
Please encrypt the data before sending it.
To cause someone to go somewhere, often for a specific purpose.
Causative form of 行く (to go). Means 'to make/let someone go'. The most natural way to say 'send someone' in most contexts.
I sent him to do the shopping.
I send my child to school.
To dispatch or send someone officially, often for work (e.g., a temp worker, a delegation).
To send someone into a place, often with a nuance of infiltration or strategic placement.
To transmit funds to someone, usually electronically or through a service.
To accompany someone to their point of departure and say goodbye.
To see someone off at the airport, station, etc. Implies going to the departure point.
I went to the airport to see my friend off.
To send someone out (from home, office, etc.) with encouragement. Often used when someone is leaving for a new phase of life.
To emit or transmit non-physical things like radio waves, light, or signals.
To cause someone or something to enter a particular state or condition.
Causative form. Use with adjectives or verbs to mean 'make someone/something ~'. Often translates 'send someone into a panic', 'send prices soaring', etc.
The news sent the market into confusion.
His words sent her into a rage.
While 送る can be used for sending people in some contexts (e.g., 子供を学校に送る), it often sounds like you are treating a person as an object. For most cases, use the causative form 行かせる or more specific verbs like 派遣する.
I sent him on an errand.
送る focuses on the act of sending from the sender's side. 届ける (とどける) focuses on delivery to the recipient. If you want to emphasize that something reaches the person, use 届ける.
The company sent him to the Osaka branch.
They sent a spy into enemy territory.
家賃を大家さんの口座に振り込みました。
I sent the rent to the landlord's account.
We warmly sent off the new employees.
その機械は強い電波を発している。
The machine is sending out strong radio waves.