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.
手紙を送りました。
I sent a letter.
荷物を送るので、住所を教えてください。
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.
書類を郵送してください。
Please send the documents by mail.
Used for dispatching goods, orders, or shipments, often in business contexts.
ご注文の商品は本日発送いたしました。
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.
メールを送ってください。
Please send me an email.
さっきLINEを送ったよ。
I just sent you a LINE message.
A technical term for transmitting data or signals. Common in IT contexts.
データを送信する前に暗号化してください。
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.
彼を買い物に行かせた。
I sent him to do the shopping.
子供を学校に行かせる。
I send my child to school.
To dispatch or send someone officially, often for work (e.g., a temp worker, a delegation).
会社は彼を大阪支社に派遣した。
The company sent him to the Osaka branch.
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.
The standard verb for sending money, especially via bank transfer or remittance service.
海外に送金する方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to send money overseas.
To transfer money into a bank account. Very common for domestic transfers.
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.
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.
空港まで友達を見送りに行った。
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.
Used for transmitting radio signals, data, etc.
衛星が信号を送信している。
The satellite is sending a signal.
To emit (light, sound, smell, etc.). More general than 送信する.
その機械は強い電波を発している。
The machine is sending out strong radio waves.
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.
そのニュースは市場を混乱させた。
The news sent the market into confusion.
彼の言葉が彼女を怒らせた。
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.
彼を使いに行かせた。
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.
スパイを敵地に送り込んだ。
They sent a spy into enemy territory.
新入社員を温かく送り出した。
We warmly sent off the new employees.