教える vs 伝える
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 教える
Listen to 伝える
| 教える | 伝える |
|---|---|
o-SHI-e-ru verb (transitive) | つたえる verb (transitive) |
| to teach; to instruct; to tell (information) | to convey; to communicate; to inform |
How they differ
伝える emphasizes transmitting information, news, or feelings from one person to another and does not necessarily imply teaching a skill or giving systematic instruction; 教える can mean both 'inform' and 'teach', but 伝える narrows the meaning to communication rather than pedagogy.
When to use each
When to use 教える: Prefer 教える when you mean actively instructing someone, teaching a skill, or providing explanations.
When to use 伝える: Prefer 伝える when your focus is simply to inform, pass on news, or convey information or feelings without implying formal instruction.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼にその情報を教えた。
(I taught/told him that information.) - 彼にその情報を伝えた。
(I conveyed/informed him of that information.)
Register & nuance: 伝える is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.