Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "伝える" vs "説明"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
伝える
つたえる (tsutayeru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
説明
せつめい (setsumei)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 伝える and 説明 are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
伝える (つたえる (tsutayeru)) represents "to convey; to report; to transmit" (Level: N3) and typically represents Transitive verb meaning to pass on messages, information, traditions, or feelings to others. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Are my true feelings being conveyed to you...? W-Wait! I meant my work instructions! Do not go imagining anything weird! Gosh, you're hopeless!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『私の本当の気持ち、ちゃんとあんたに伝わってるかしら...？って、な、何驚いてんのよ！仕事の業務指示のことに決まってるでしょ！変な誤解しないでよね！』.
On the other hand, 説明 (せつめい (setsumei)) translates to "explanation" (Level: N3) and is used for Refers to explaining or illustrating a fact, meaning, or method so others can understand. Can be used with する as a verb. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "伝える"
彼に、明日の会議の時間を伝えてください。
Please convey the meeting time for tomorrow to him.
Bilingual Sentence for "説明"
この問題の解き方を、もう一度説明してください。
Please explain the way to solve this problem once more.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼に、明日の会議の時間を伝えてください。" (Meaning: "Please convey the meeting time for tomorrow to him.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "伝える" fits here because it represents "to convey; to report; to transmit" in the context: "Please convey the meeting time for tomorrow to him.".