What is the difference between "届ける" and "とどける"?

"届ける" means "to deliver, to send, to report (transitive)" (N4), whereas "とどける" represents "to deliver, to send, to report" (N3).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "とどける (todokeru)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

とどける (todokeru)

N4 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

とどける (todokeru)

N3 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "とどける (todokeru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

届ける (Level: N4): Translates to "to deliver, to send, to report (transitive)" and is used when 物や情報を相手のところに運んで渡すこと。他動詞。「届く」の他動詞形。/ To carry and hand over an object or information to someone. Transitive verb. The transitive form of 'todoku'..
とどける (Level: N3): Maps to "to deliver, to send, to report" and carries the nuance of Transitive verb. Refers to the act of bringing or sending something to a specific person or place, or reporting something to authorities. Intransitive is 届く.

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "届ける"

忘れ物を警察に届けました。

I reported (or delivered) a lost item to the police.

Bilingual Context for "とどける"

荷物を自宅まで届けます。

I will deliver the package to your home.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "忘れ物を警察に届けました。" (Meaning: "I reported (or delivered) a lost item to the police.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "届ける" is used for "to deliver, to send, to report (transitive)" in the context: "I reported (or delivered) a lost item to the police.".