消息
Meanings
1
Refers to information about someone's situation, often received through a letter, message, or indirect contact. Common in phrases like 消息を絶つ (to lose contact) or 消息不明 (whereabouts unknown).
I haven't heard any news from him.
It's been a year since we lost contact.
2
Used when asking or talking about where someone is or what they are doing, often in a slightly formal or concerned tone. Overlaps with sense 1 but focuses on location/activity rather than general news.
We had trouble tracking down his whereabouts.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉の消息を尋ねるto inquire about someone's whereabouts/news
I wrote a letter inquiring about my friend's whereabouts.
- 〈人〉の消息が分かるto find out someone's whereabouts or news
I finally found out his whereabouts.
- 〈人〉から消息があるto receive news/word from someone
I received news from her for the first time in a year.
- 消息をつかむto get a lead on someone's whereabouts
The police got a lead on the fugitive's whereabouts.
Expressions
- 消息を絶つstop communicating; disappear; go missing