Translation guide
How to express 'notify' in Japanese, covering formal notifications, casual informing, and official announcements.
To formally inform someone, often in official, business, or legal contexts.
The most direct equivalent for formal notification, such as from an institution, company, or system. Often used for written or automated notices.
変更があった場合はメールで通知します。
We will notify you by email if there are any changes.
結果は書面で通知されます。
The results will be notified in writing.
General verb meaning 'to inform' or 'let someone know'. Less formal than 通知する, suitable for everyday situations.
到着時間を知らせてください。
Please notify me of your arrival time.
Used for official announcements or notifications, often with a sense of unilateral declaration, such as termination of a contract or a strike notice.
会社は解雇を通告した。
The company notified him of his dismissal.
To tell someone something in a casual or everyday manner, without formal procedures.
Common verb meaning 'to convey' or 'to tell'. Used when passing on information in daily conversation.
彼に伝えておきます。
I'll notify him (let him know).
変更があれば伝えてください。
Please notify me if there are any changes.
Literally 'to teach', but often used to mean 'to tell/inform' in casual contexts. Implies sharing information the listener doesn't know.
Means 'to contact' or 'to get in touch', often used when notifying someone by phone, message, etc.
到着したら連絡してね。
Notify me (contact me) when you arrive.
To officially report something to authorities, such as police, government, or an institution.
To formally report or notify an authority, such as a change of address or a crime.
住所変更を市役所に届け出た。
I notified the city hall of my change of address.
To report or give a report. Used in business or official contexts, but not necessarily to an authority.
事故を警察に報告した。
I reported (notified) the accident to the police.
To report to authorities, especially police or emergency services, often about incidents or suspicious activity.
不審者を見かけたら警察に通報してください。
If you see a suspicious person, please notify the police.
To inform someone beforehand, often required by rules or courtesy.
Common phrase meaning 'to notify in advance'. Combines 事前 (beforehand) with 知らせる.
欠席する場合は事前に知らせてください。
Please notify us in advance if you will be absent.
To give advance notice, often used for scheduled events, releases, or changes.
新機能のリリースを予告する。
Notify in advance of the release of new features.
通知する is formal and often written/system-generated. 知らせる is general 'inform'. 伝える is casual 'pass on a message'. Use 通知する for official notices, 知らせる for letting someone know something, and 伝える for relaying information in conversation.
会議の日程を通知します。
We will notify you of the meeting schedule. (formal)
彼に知らせておいて。
Let him know. (general)
先生に伝えてください。
Please tell the teacher. (casual relay)
The loanword ノーティファイ is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to the verbs above.
結果がわかったら教えて。
Let me know (notify me) when you know the results.