Translation guide
The act of sending something on to another destination, such as mail, messages, or calls. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is being forwarded and the method.
転送
forwarding (mail/email/calls)
To have mail or packages sent to a new address
General term for forwarding physical mail or packages. Often used with する.
郵便物を新しい住所に転送してもらえますか？
Can you forward my mail to my new address?
Mail forwarding service, often used when moving.
引っ越しの時に転送サービスを申し込んだ。
I applied for a mail forwarding service when I moved.
To send a received email or message to another person
The standard verb for forwarding emails or digital messages.
このメールを田中さんに転送してください。
Please forward this email to Mr. Tanaka.
Sometimes used for forwarding messages in a chain or circular, but 転送 is more common for email.
チェーンメールを回送しないでください。
Please don't forward chain emails.
To redirect an incoming call to another number
Also used for forwarding phone calls. Context makes it clear.
電話を携帯に転送してください。
Please forward the call to my mobile.
The noun form for call forwarding.
電話転送の設定をしましたか？
Did you set up call forwarding?
To send goods onward to a final destination, often via an intermediary
To transship or forward cargo by transferring it to another vehicle/vessel.
貨物を船からトラックに積み替える。
Forward the cargo from the ship to the truck.
To forward or send on (e.g., empty vehicles, goods).
空のコンテナを港に回送する。
Forward the empty containers to the port.
To forward an email while keeping the original as an attachment
Specifically means to forward as an attachment.
元のメールを添付ファイルとして転送します。
I will forward the original email as an attachment.
転送 (tensō) is the general term for forwarding messages, mail, or calls. 回送 (kaisō) is more specific to sending things on a circuit or forwarding vehicles/goods, and is less common for digital communication.