What does “tsutaeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “tsutaeru” to mean ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “tsutaeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaenai: the nai form of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaeyou: the volitional form of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaemasu: the masu form of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaeta: the ta form of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaete: the te form of “tsutaeru”
- Tsutaereba: the ba form of “tsutaeru”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “tsutaeru”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “tsutaeru”.
- tsutaeru – 伝える (つたえる) : a verb meaning ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese.
Japanese native speakers use this verb when they let someone know something.
The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “tell” in Japanese
boku wa itsumo boku no kangae wo tsutaeru – 僕はいつも僕の考えを伝える (ぼくはいつもぼくのかんがえをつたえる)
I always tell my thoughts.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
- itsumo – いつも : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘always’ in Japanese.
- no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “boku” to make its possessive case, “boku no”, which means ‘my’ in Japanese.
- kangae – 考え (かんがえ) : a noun meaning ‘thought’ or ‘idea’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “boku no kangae” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to tell’ in Japanese, this verb is a good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsutaeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “tsutaenai”.
Tsutaenai: the nai form of “tsutaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsutaenai”.
- tsutaenai – 伝えない (つたえない) : the nai form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘not to tell’ or ‘not to convey’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsutaenai” consists of the following two parts:
- tsutae – 伝え (つたえ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaenai” is literally the nai form of “tsutaeru” and means ‘not to tell’ or ‘not to convey’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this nai form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “don’t convey” in Japanese
karera wa watashi ni iken wo tsutaenai – 彼等は私に意見を伝えない (かれらはわたしにいけんをつたえない)
They don’t convey their opinions to me.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- karera – 彼等 (かれら) : a pronoun meaning ‘they’ in Japanese.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say in which direction an action goes. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to indicate the object to which the action described by “tsutaenai” goes.
- iken – 意見 (いけん) : a noun meaning ‘opinion’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to convey’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Tsutaeyou: the volitional form of “tsutaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsutaeyou”.
- tsutaeyou – 伝えよう (つたえよう) : the volitional form of “tsutaeru”, which expresses volition to tell or convey.
Grammatically, “tsutaeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- tsutae – 伝え (つたえ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaeyou” is literally the volitional form of “tsutaeru” and expresses volition to tell or convey in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s tell” in Japanese
kare ni shinjitsu wo tsutaeyou – 彼に真実を伝えよう (かれにしんじつをつたえよう)
Let’s tell him the truth!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
- shinjitsu – 真実 (しんじつ) : a noun meaning ‘truth’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s tell” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Tsutaemasu: the masu form of “tsutaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsutaemasu”.
- tsutaemasu – 伝えます (つたえます) : the masu form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsutaemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- tsutae – 伝え (つたえ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaemasu” is literally the masu form of “tsutaeru” and means ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “tell” politely in Japanese
kanojo wa tokidoki kareshi ni kangae wo tsutaemasu – 彼女は時々彼氏に考えを伝えます (かのじょはときどきかれしにかんがえをつたえます)
She sometimes tells her boyfriend her thoughts.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
- tokidoki – 時々 (ときどき) : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘sometimes’ in Japanese.
- kareshi – 彼氏 (かれし) : a noun meaning ‘boyfriend’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “tell” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.
Tsutaeta: the ta form of “tsutaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsutaeta”.
- tsutaeta – 伝えた (つたえた) : the ta form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘told’ or ‘conveyed’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsutaeta” consists of the following two parts:
- tsutae – 伝え (つたえ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaeta” is literally the ta form of “tsutaeru” and means ‘told’ or ‘conveyed’ in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “conveyed” in Japanese
watashi tachi wa joushi ni kangae wo tsutaeta – 私達は上司に考えを伝えた (わたしたちはじょうしにかんがえをつたえた)
We conveyed our ideas to our boss.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese.
- joushi – 上司 (じょうし) : a noun meaning ‘boss’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaeta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “tsutaeru”, this ta form is the best option.
Tsutaete: the te form of “tsutaeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsutaete”.
- tsutaete – 伝えて (つたえて) : the te form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsutaete” consists of the following two parts:
- tsukae – 伝え (つたえ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaete” is literally the te form of “tsutaeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “tsutaete” is very useful when we want to use “tsutaeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “please tell” in Japanese
kanojo ni watashi no ai wo tsutaete kudasai – 彼女に私の愛を伝えてください (かのじょにわたしのあいをつたえてください)
Please tell her my love.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- ai – 愛 (あい) : a pronoun meaning ‘love’ in Japanese.
- kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “tsutaete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaete”. In this example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “tsutaeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Tsutaereba: the ba form of “tsutaeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “tsutaereba”.
- tsutaereba – 伝えれば (つたえれば) : the ba form of “tsutaeru”, which make a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsutaereba” consists of the following two parts:
- tsutaere – 伝えれ (つたえれ) : one conjugation of “tsutaeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsutaereba” is literally the ba form of “tsutaeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “tsutaereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if tell” in Japanese
kanojo ni kimi no ai wo tsutaereba, kanojo wa naku yo – 彼女に君の愛を伝えれば、彼女は泣くよ (かのじょにきみのあいをつたえれば、かのじょはなくよ)
If you tell her your love, she will cry.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kimi – 君 (きみ) : a pronoun meaning ‘you’ in Japanese.
- naku – 泣く (なく) : a verb meaning ‘to cry’ in Japanese.
- yo – よ : a sentence-ending particle used to state the fact or idea in a soft way. As the definition suggests, this is used at the end of the example sentence to state the speaker’s idea softly.
This is a typical usage of “tsutaereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kanojo ni kimi no ai wo tsutaereba”, which means ‘if you tell her your love’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to tell’, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsutaeru” and its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- tsutaeru – 伝える (つたえる) : a verb meaning ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese.
- tsutaenai – 伝えない (つたえない) : the nai form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘not to tell’ or ‘not to convey’ in Japanese.
- tsutaeyou – 伝えよう (つたえよう) : the volitional form of “tsutaeru”, which expresses volition to tell or convey.
- tsutaemasu – 伝えます (つたえます) : the masu form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ politely in Japanese.
- tsutaeta – 伝えた (つたえた) : the ta form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘told’ or ‘conveyed’ in Japanese.
- tsutaete – 伝えて (つたえて) : the te form of “tsutaeru”, which means ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese. When we want to use “tsutaeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- tsutaereba – 伝えれば (つたえれば) : the ba form of “tsutaeru”, which make a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to tell’ or ‘to convey’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
