Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Report" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "report", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
報告
ほうこく (houkoku)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
報道
ほうどう (houdou)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "report" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 報告 and 報道.
In Japanese, 報告 (ほうこく (houkoku)) is typically associated with "report, to report" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Noun, often used with する.
On the other hand, 報道 (ほうどう (houdou)) maps to "report; news; coverage" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the act of reporting news or information, often by media outlets. Can also refer to the news itself. より公式な文脈で使われます。. A literal translation of "report" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "報告"
会議の結果を報告します。
I will report the results of the meeting.
Bilingual Context for "報道"
その事件はニュースで大きく報道された。
That incident was widely reported in the news.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "会議の結果を ＿＿＿ します。" (Meaning: "I will report the results of the meeting.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "報告" fits here because it means "report, to report" in the context of: "I will report the results of the meeting.". "報道" represents "report; news; coverage".