Translation guide
How to refer to or give spoken instructions in Japanese, from casual to formal settings.
The act of providing directions or guidance verbally.
Standard phrase for 'spoken instructions' in formal or business contexts.
口頭での指示に従ってください。
Please follow the spoken instructions.
The act of listening to or following verbal directions.
Common way to say 'receive spoken instructions'.
口頭での指示を受けてから作業を始めてください。
Please start work after receiving spoken instructions.
Emphasizing the mode of delivery.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'orally' or 'verbally', often used to contrast with written.
指示は口頭で伝えられました。
The instructions were given verbally.
口頭 (こうとう) is the standard term for 'oral' or 'spoken' in formal contexts. 口で言う is more casual and literally means 'say with mouth', but it's less common for 'instructions' and can sound redundant.
話し言葉 (はなしことば) means 'spoken language' as a linguistic category, not 'spoken instructions'. Using it for instructions would be unnatural.
先生はテストの前に口頭で指示を出しました。
The teacher gave spoken instructions before the test.
私は口頭より書面での指示のほうが好きです。
I prefer written instructions over spoken ones.
More compact version, often used in manuals or technical writing.
口頭指示だけでは不十分な場合があります。
Spoken instructions alone may not be sufficient.
Literally 'instructions said by mouth', more colloquial and less common.
口で言う指示だけじゃなくて、メモも取って。
Not just spoken instructions, take notes too.
Uses 'explanation' instead of 'instructions', slightly softer.
口頭で説明を受けた後、質問があればどうぞ。
After receiving spoken instructions, feel free to ask questions.
More formal, 'instructions by oral means'.
口頭による指示は誤解を招くことがあります。
Spoken instructions can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.