Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| メッセージ | messēji | [me̞sːe̞ːʑi] (narrow) |
| 伝言 | dengon | [dẽ̞ŋɡõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 連絡 | renraku | [ɾẽ̞n̺ɾa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term メッセージ is a versatile way to refer to modern communication, such as digital text messages or abstract concepts like a 'message of peace'. The term 伝言 refers specifically to a message that is relayed from one person to another, often through a third party or a medium like a telephone. Finally, 連絡 focuses on the act of contact, communication or providing a notification.
Which one should you use?
Use 伝言 when a message is being passed from one person to another through an intermediary, such as a phone message. Use 連絡 when the focus is on the act of contacting someone or providing a status update rather than the specific content being conveyed. Use メッセージ for more abstract ideas or digital messages.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal settings, 伝言 is often used to describe the act of relaying a message to someone else. Similarly, 連絡 is used in formal contexts to mean 'contact' or 'communication'. In professional service environments, such as a receptionist speaking to a client, the polite phrase 伝言がございます is used to inform someone that they have a message.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to leave a message' for someone, the standard phrase is 伝言を残す.
How do you pronounce it?
messēji
Did you know?
- While メッセージ is used for digital texts, the word LINE is often used as a verb in Japan, such as 'to LINE someone', because the app is the dominant messaging platform.
- In traditional Japanese social etiquette, relaying a 伝言 via a third party was historically a way to avoid the directness or potential conflict of a face-to-face encounter.
- The term 連絡 can be used as a noun to refer to a 'connection' or 'link' between two physical places, such as a connecting corridor between buildings.
Examples in context
- 伝言はある？Is there a message?This sentence is useful for asking if a message exists using 伝言.Tatoeba #8738086 by bunbuku, translation #2891451 by CK
- 伝言がございます。You have a message.This sentence is useful for a polite way to inform someone they have a message using 伝言.Tatoeba #11542262 by bunbuku, translation #687932 by lukaszpp
- 伝言が届いております。You have a message here.This sentence is useful for saying a message has arrived using 伝言.Tatoeba #124937 by bunbuku, translation #279056 by CK
- 受付に伝言をお願いします。Please leave a message with the receptionist.
- 昨日、彼からメッセージが来たよ！Yesterday, I received a message from him!
- 明日の予定を伝言メモで教えてね！Let me know tomorrow's schedule in a message note, okay?
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing a text they received.
- 美咲 Misakiこのメッセージ、何て書いてあるの？Kono messeeji, nante kaite aru no?What does this message say?
- 陽太 Yota明日は遅れるっていうメッセージだよ。Ashita wa okureru tte iu messeeji da yo.It is a message saying he will be late tomorrow.
- 美咲 Misakiなるほど、メッセージの内容は分かったわ。Naruhodo, messeeji no naiyou wa wakatta wa.I see, I understand the content of the message.
- 陽太 Yotaよかった。美咲が理解できて安心したよ。Yokatta. Misaki ga rikai dekite anshin shita yo.Good. I'm relieved that you understood, Misaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “message” translations and entries メッセージ, 伝言, 連絡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
