Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Report" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "report", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
報告する
ほうこくする (houkoku suru)
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 報告する and 報道.
In Japanese, 報告する (ほうこくする (houkoku suru)) is typically associated with "to report, to inform" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 結果や状況、事実などを伝えるときに使う言葉です。特に仕事や学校などで、目上の人に伝える場合によく使われます。.
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 "報告する"
会議でプロジェクトの進捗を報告する。
I will report the progress of the project at 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: "会議でプロジェクトの進捗を ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I will report the progress of the project at the meeting.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "報告する" fits here because it means "to report, to inform" in the context of: "I will report the progress of the project at the meeting.". "報道" represents "report; news; coverage".