Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Inform" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "inform", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
知らせる
しらせる (shiraseru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
告げる
つげる (tsugeru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "inform" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 知らせる and 告げる.
In Japanese, 知らせる (しらせる (shiraseru)) is typically associated with "to inform, to notify, to let know" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. Used to convey information to someone. Often takes に.
On the other hand, 告げる (つげる (tsugeru)) maps to "to inform, to tell" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "inform" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "知らせる"
会議の場所が変わったことを、みんなに知らせました。
I informed everyone that the meeting place had changed.
Bilingual Context for "告げる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために告げる。
Every day, I inform, to tell to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議の場所が変わったことを、みんなに知らせました。" (Meaning: "I informed everyone that the meeting place had changed.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "知らせる" fits here because it means "to inform, to notify, to let know" in the context of: "I informed everyone that the meeting place had changed.". "告げる" represents "to inform, to tell".