Translation guide
How to express 'tip-off' in Japanese, covering secret warnings, anonymous tips, and the start of a sports game.
To give someone a discreet warning or inside information, often about something illegal or sensitive.
A secret report or tip-off, often to authorities. Can be used as a noun or verb (密告する).
An anonymous tip-off, often to police or a hotline.
An anonymous tip or report. 通報 alone can also mean a tip-off.
匿名の通報で犯人が捕まった。
The criminal was caught thanks to an anonymous tip-off.
The jump ball that starts a basketball game.
Direct loanword from English, used in basketball contexts.
ティップオフは午後7時です。
Tip-off is at 7 PM.
Do not translate 'tip-off' literally as 先端を切る or similar. Use context-appropriate terms like 密告 or ティップオフ.
彼は警察に密告した。
He tipped off the police.
Secret communication with an enemy or outsider; implies betrayal. Often used in espionage or criminal contexts.
スパイが敵に内通していた。
The spy was tipping off the enemy.
To leak information; a more general phrase for passing on a tip-off.
誰かがマスコミに情報を流した。
Someone tipped off the media.
Whispering a secret or tip into someone's ear. More literal and less common for 'tip-off'.
彼は私にこっそり耳打ちした。
He secretly tipped me off.
Slang for an anonymous tip or leak, often to media or police.
タレコミがあって捜査が進んだ。
The investigation progressed thanks to a tip-off.
The jump ball itself; sometimes used interchangeably with tip-off.
審判がジャンプボールを投げた。
The referee tossed the jump ball.