Explore 伝 in words for conveying news, messages and traditions. Learn each reading with a whole word and its context.

The idea

伝 has 6 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 伝える（つたえる） means to convey something, while 伝わる（つたわる） means that it gets across. Compounds include 伝言（でんごん） and 伝統（でんとう）.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
伝えるつたえるI will tell the teacher the news.
伝わるつたわるMy feelings did not get across to my friend.
伝言でんごんI received a message from my mother.
伝統でんとうThis town preserves its traditions.
手伝うてつだうI will help with the preparations.

Examples

  • 先生せんせいに知しらせを伝つたえます。I will tell the teacher the news.
  • 友達ともだちに気持きもちが伝つたわりませんでした。My feelings did not get across to my friend.
  • 母ははから伝言でんごんをもらいました。I received a message from my mother.
  • この町まちは伝統でんとうを守まもっています。This town preserves its traditions.
  • 私わたしは準備じゅんびを手伝てつだいます。I will help with the preparations.
  • 知しらせが村中むらじゅうに伝つたわりました。The news spread throughout the village.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

伝える takes the thing conveyed with を; 伝わる describes what reaches someone, often marked by が. 手伝う（てつだう） means to help, not to convey a hand.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 伝える in hiragana.

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    つたえる

    伝える is つたえる: 伝 is read つた here, followed by える. It means to convey.

  2. Write the reading of 伝言 in hiragana.

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    でんごん

    伝言 is でんごん, a message passed on to someone. Learn the compound as a whole.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿統（でんとう）［伝／転］.

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    伝

    伝 completes 伝統（でんとう）, meaning tradition; 転 does not spell this word.

Use it today

Write 伝 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 伝言 and 伝統, then make a sentence with 伝える.