Translation and Meaning of: 情報 - jyouhou

The Japanese word 情報[じょうほう] is essential for those studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. It frequently appears in conversations, news, and even in animes, representing a fundamental concept in modern society. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday life, as well as interesting facts that help understand its significance in the Japanese language.

Meaning and translation of 情報

情報[じょうほう] can be translated as "information" or "data." The term encompasses everything from news and reports to technical knowledge and statistics. Unlike Portuguese, where "informação" can be more generic, in Japanese it carries the nuance of something organized and useful.

An interesting detail is that 情報 is not limited to texts or numbers. In Japan, it can also refer to military intelligence, practical tips, or even gossip, depending on the context. This flexibility allows the word to be used in both formal and informal situations.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The kanjis that form 情報 have revealing meanings. 情[じょう] refers to "emotion" or "situation", while 報[ほう] means "to report" or "to repay". Together, they suggest the idea of conveying knowledge about a state or fact. This combination reflects well the role of information: to communicate something relevant.

It is worth noting that 情報 is a word of Chinese origin (kango), but its use was consolidated in Japan during the Meiji period, when the country modernized its technical terminology. Before that, the Japanese used more descriptive terms for similar concepts.

Everyday and cultural use

In Japan, 情報 is so common that it appears on station signs (like 情報案内[じょうほうあんない] for "information desk"), in TV programs (情報番組[じょうほうばんぐみ], informational programs), and even in public notices. Companies use 情報共有[じょうほうきょうゆう] for internal "information sharing."

Culturally, the emphasis on precision in 情報 reflects the importance that Japanese society places on organization and reliability. It is no coincidence that the term appears in serious contexts, such as 情報漏洩[じょうほうろうえい] (data leak), a sensitive topic in the country.

Tips for memorizing

An effective way to remember 情報 is to associate the kanji 情 with "context" and 報 with "communicate". Phrases like 情報を集める[じょうほうをあつめる] ("to collect information") help internalize its use. Another tip is to remember that 報 appears in words like 報告[ほうこく] (report), reinforcing the idea of transmitting something.

Curiosity: in some games and animes, such as "Ghost in the Shell," 情報戦[じょうほうせん] ("information warfare") illustrates how the term permeates even fiction. This shows its relevance across multiple layers of Japanese culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 情報 (Jouhou) - Information
• データ (Deeta) - Data, often referring to grounded or numerical information
• 情報量 (Jouhouryou) - Amount of information
• 情報源 (Jouhougen) - Source of information
• 情報提供 (Jouhouteikyou) - Provision of information
• 情報収集 (Jouhoushuuushuu) - Information gathering
• 情報伝達 (Jouhoudentatsu) - Transmission of information
• 情報処理 (Jouhoushori) - Information processing
• 情報分析 (Jouhoubunseki) - Information analysis
• 情報漏えい (Jouhourouei) - Information leak

情報

Romaji: jyouhou
Kana: じょうほう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: information; intelligence (military)

Meaning in English: information;(military) intelligence

Definition: Collect, organize, and communicate data and facts.

Example Sentences - (情報) jyouhou

See below some example sentences:

正確な情報を提供してください。

Seikaku na jōhō o teikyō shite kudasai

Please provide accurate information.

Provide accurate information.

• 正確な - adjective meaning "precise, exact"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 提供 - verb meaning "to provide, offer"
• して - verb form that indicates action in progress
• ください - verb meaning "please, favor of"

役に立つ情報を探しています。

Yaku ni tatsu jōhō o sagashite imasu

I am looking for useful information.

I am looking for useful information.

• 役に立つ - useful
• 情報 - information
• を - direct object particle
• 探しています - searching

この情報を拡散してください。

Kono jōhō o kakusan shite kudasai

Please spread this information.

Disseminate this information.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 情報 - noun meaning "information".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 拡散 - noun that means "diffusion" or "propagation".
• して - Conjugated form of the verb "suru" which means "to do/make."
• ください - imperative form of the verb "kudasai" which means "please"

あやふやな情報は信用できない。

Ayafuya na jōhō wa shin'yo dekinai

I cannot trust the information.

• あやふやな - adjective meaning "vague", "uncertain", "ambiguous".
• 情報 - noun meaning "information".
• は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• 信用 - noun meaning "trust", "credit".
• できない - verb in the negative form meaning "not being able to", "not being able to".

この情報は広まる必要がある。

Kono jōhō wa hirobaru hitsuyō ga aru

This information needs to get out.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• 情報 - noun "information"
• は - Topic particle
• 広まる - verb "to spread"
• 必要 - noun "necessity"
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"

この書類には正確な情報が記載されています。

Kono shorui ni wa seikaku na joho ga kisai sarete imasu

This document contains accurate information.

• この - demonstrative pronoun "this"
• 書類 - noun "document"
• には - Topic marking particle
• 正確な - adjective "precise, exact"
• 情報 - noun "information"
• が - subject particle
• 記載されています - verb "to be written, to be recorded"

このファイルは大切な情報が入っています。

Kono fairu wa taisetsu na jōhō ga haitteimasu

This file contains important information.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• ファイル - noun that means "file"
• は - topic particle indicating that what follows is the subject of the sentence
• 大切な - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• が - Subject marker that indicates that what comes next is the subject of the sentence
• 入っています - verb that means "to be contained" or "to be included" in the present and polite form

この情報は正確ですか？

Kono jōhō wa seikaku desu ka?

Is this information accurate?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 正確 - adjective meaning "precise" or "exact"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• か - interrogative particle indicating a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この情報はまだ公表されていません。

Kono jōhō wa mada kōhyō sarete imasen

This information has not yet been publicly released.

This information has not yet been released.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the information is the subject of the sentence
• まだ - adverb meaning "yet"
• 公表 - noun that means "public disclosure"
• されていません - negative form of the verb "する" (to do) in the passive and polite form, indicating that public disclosure has not yet been made

この文書は重要な情報を含んでいます。

Kono bunsho wa juuyou na jouhou wo fukundeimasu

This document contains important information.

This document contains important information.

• この文書 - This documentation
• は - is
• 重要な - important
• 情報 - information
• を - direct object
• 含んでいます - contains