伝える To Transmit

Meaning

Primary

To Transmit

Alternatives

To Tell, To Pass Down, To Convey

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means transmit, so the verb version is to transmit or to tell something.

Reading

つたえる

Explanation

Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it's probably going to be the kun'yomi reading, which you didn't learn with the kanji. Here's a mnemonic to help you:

You want to transmit a signal to the stars (つた)! Trying to tell your message to anyone on earth would be too boring and too easy. Aim your message at the nearest star and transmit it into space!

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 〜を伝える

  考えを伝える

  to convey one's thoughts

  メッセージを伝える

  to convey a message

  思いを伝える

  to convey one's feelings

• 〜に伝える

  相手に伝える

  to tell one's partner, to communicate to the other party

  人に伝える

  to tell another person

  正直に伝える

  to convey honestly

Context Sentences

これから会えますか？メールでは上手く伝えることができないんです。

Could we meet up? I wouldn't be able to convey my message over an email.

先生には、トイレに行きたいってちゃんと伝えてたんだよ。

I told my teacher that I wanted to go to the bathroom.

お父様とお母様にも、よろしくお伝えくださいね。

Please give your mother and father my regards.

Kanji Composition

1. 伝

   でん Transmit