教えて
oshiete
The English phrase "let me know" is expressed in Japanese as 教えて (oshiete).
教えて is used when you are making a request for someone to give you information or tell you something. While English speakers often say "let me know," the Japanese verb used here carries the nuance of "tell me" or "teach me."
Which one should you use?
While 教えて is a standard way to ask for information, it literally carries the nuance of "teach me" or "instruct me."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite request, you can use 教えてください, which translates to "please let me know." In formal business settings or professional writing, it is better to use お知らせください, which means "please inform/notify me."
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression しってたら教えてや is used in the Kansai region.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request sound softer and more friendly in casual conversation, you can add ね (ne) to the end, resulting in 教えてね, which means "let me know, okay?"
How do you pronounce it?
oshiete
Did you know?
- While 教えて is often translated as 'let me know', it is the same verb used to ask a professor to teach a university course. In Japanese, the act of giving a simple piece of information is viewed as a miniature act of teaching.
- The phrase 教えて is commonly used by fans when asking for a 'spoiler' about a movie or book, treating the plot revelation as a piece of knowledge being taught.
- The formal alternative お知らせください uses the noun お知らせ, which also refers to the 'notice' or 'announcements' boards found in Japanese train stations and schools.
Examples in context
- 見たら教えて。If you see, let me know.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase after a condition like "if you see."Tatoeba #10657902 by small_snow, translation #2880469 by AlanF_US
- 済んだら教えてね。Let me know when it's done.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to request information once an action is finished.Tatoeba #12142809 by small_snow, translation #5520688 by Hybrid
- 詳しく教えて下さい。Let me know the details.This sentence demonstrates using the phrase to ask for specific details.Tatoeba #146323 by bunbuku, translation #268239 by CK
- 会議のスケジュールが確定し次第、知らせてください。Please let me know as soon as the meeting schedule is confirmed.
- 面接の結果が決まり次第、ご連絡ください。Please let me know as soon as the interview results are decided.
- 映画の上映時間を教えてください。Please let me know the showtime of the movie.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are discussing their plans for dinner.
- 大翔 Hiroto何が食べたいか、後で教えて。Nani ga tabetai ka, ato de oshiete.Let me know later what you want to eat.
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ。メニューを見て決めるね。Ii yo. Menyū o mite kimeru ne.Okay. I'll decide after looking at the menu.
- 大翔 Hirotoお願い。お店を予約したいから。Onegai. Omise o yoyaku shitai kara.Please. Because I want to make a reservation.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった。すぐに教えてあげるね。Wakatta. Sugu ni oshiete ageru ne.I got it. I'll let you know soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
