通知

• Reading: つうち
• Romaji: tsūchi
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (pass through/communicate) + 知 (know/inform) → communicating information, i.e. notification
• Pronunciation: /tsɯː.tɕi/

Meaning

A notification or push alert from an app, social media platform, or messaging service.

While 通知 (tsuūchi) is a standard Japanese word meaning 'notification,' it has become deeply embedded in internet slang culture with specific connotations. '通知爆撃' (tsuūchi bakugeki, notification bombing) means being flooded with alerts. '通知オフ' (tsuūchi ofu) means turning off notifications. '通知来た' (tsuūchi kita, a notification came) is the universal reaction to any alert. In streaming and social media culture, getting a lot of 通知 is both exciting (engagement) and overwhelming (information overload).

Examples

1. 通知切ってたから全然気づかなかった。 I had notifications off so I didn't notice at all.
2. バズったら通知止まらなくてスマホ爆発しそう。 When my post went viral, the notifications wouldn't stop and my phone was about to explode.
3. 推しの通知だけはオンにしてある。 I only have notifications turned on for my fave.

Usage Guide

Context: smartphones, social media, messaging, general conversation

Tone: neutral, everyday

Do Say

• 通知多すぎて全部オフにした。 (I got too many notifications so I turned them all off.)
• 配信の通知オンにしといてね。 (Make sure you turn on stream notifications.)

Don't Say

• 通知をプッシュ通知以外の意味で使いすぎる (Be aware that 通知 in formal contexts still means official notification/notice)

Common Mistakes

• Not knowing internet compounds like 通知爆撃 (notification bombing) and 通知欄 (notification feed)
• Forgetting that 通知 in formal/legal contexts means official notice or notification, not app alerts

Origin & History

Standard Japanese word 通知 (tsuūchi, notification/notice) that gained internet-specific meanings with the smartphone era. The word itself is not slang, but its usage in internet contexts ('通知爆撃,' '通知オフ,' etc.) reflects modern digital culture.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s smartphone era (internet-specific usage)

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across Japan. The standard word for digital notifications, with internet-specific compounds widely understood.