Translation and Meaning of: 届け - todoke

The Japanese word 届け [とどけ] is a common term in everyday life in Japan, but it can create doubts for language learners. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as understand how it appears in different cultural contexts. If you have ever wondered how to use 届け correctly or why it is so present in forms and bureaucracies, keep reading to find out.

Meaning and use of 届け

The term 届け is often translated as "notification" or "formal notice," but its meaning goes beyond that. It refers to an official document or communication used to inform authorities, companies, or institutions about something important. For example, a 婚姻届け (kon'in todoke) is the marriage registration document in Japan.

Additionally, 届け can also be used as a verb (届ける), meaning "to deliver" or "to get something to someone." This duality between noun and verb makes the word versatile, appearing in situations ranging from bureaucracies to everyday expressions.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 届 is composed of the radical 尸 (which indicates something related to the body) and 由 (which suggests reason or cause). Together, they convey the idea of something that "extends until it reaches" a destination. This composition well reflects the sense of delivery or communication present in the word.

It is worth noting that 届け is one of the few words in Japanese where the okurigana (the hiragana part that accompanies the kanji) extends beyond the usual. While many end with just a single character (e.g., 話す), 届け retains the "け" even in its verbal form, which can confuse beginners.

Cultural contexts and common uses

In Japan, 届け is deeply connected to the culture of organization and formality. Any significant change in life – birth, death, change of address, or even long trips – requires the submission of a 届け to the local authorities. This system reflects the value placed on precision and social responsibility in the country.

Outside of bureaucracy, the word appears in songs and dramas, often with emotional connotation. A famous example is the anime "Your Name" (君の名は), where the idea of "delivering something" (届ける) gains a deeply personal meaning. This artistic use shows how an apparently bureaucratic word can carry significant emotional weight in Japanese culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 届ける (todokeru) - deliver
• 伝える (tsutaeru) - Communicate, convey
• 送る (okuru) - submit
• 送信する (soushin suru) - send (message, email)
• 提出する (teishutsu suru) - submit, present (documents)
• 納品する (nouhin suru) - deliver (goods)
• 配達する (haitatsu suru) - deliver (packages, correspondences)
• 送付する (soufu suru) - send (with documents, packages)
• 申し出る (moushidaru) - offer, propose
• 申請する (shinsei suru) - request (formally)
• 申告する (shinkoku suru) - declare (to formally inform of something)
• 告げる (tsugeru) - informar, notificar
• 伝達する (dentatsu suru) - transmit (information)
• 伝言する (dengon suru) - send message
• 伝承する (denshou suru) - transmit (culture, tradition)
• 伝授する (denju suru) - teach (special knowledge)
• 伝え聞く (tsutae kiku) - listen and transmit
• 伝わる (tsutawaru) - to be transmitted, to be understood
• 伝わり (tsutawari) - transmission (in the sense of continuous form)
• 伝わります (tsutawarimasu) - it is transmitted, it is understood
• 伝わって (tsutawatte) - sendo transmitido
• 伝わらない (tsutawaranai) - not broadcasted, not understood
• 伝わった (tsutawatta) - it was broadcasted, it was understood
• 伝わりました (tsutawarimashita) - was transmitted

届け

Romaji: todoke
Kana: とどけ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: report; notification; record

Meaning in English: report;notification;registration

Definition: may things arrive.

Example Sentences - (届け) todoke

See below some example sentences:

私は手紙をあなたに届ける。

Watashi wa tegami o anata ni todokeru

I will give you the letter.

I will deliver the letter to you.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 手紙 - noun meaning "letter"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• あなた - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に - target particle indicating the recipient of the action
• 届ける - verb meaning "to deliver"