伝言

• Reading: でんごん
• Romaji: dengon
• Kanji breakdown: 伝 (den) — transmit, convey; 言 (gon) — word, speech
• Pronunciation: /deŋ.goɴ/

Meaning

Verbal message; word-of-mouth communication. A message relayed through another person.

A noun and suru verb (伝言する, to leave a message). Used when asking someone to pass along a message rather than communicating directly. Common phrases: 伝言を頼む (to ask someone to relay a message), 伝言板 (message board). More formal than just 言っておく (to tell someone for me).

Examples

1. 鈴木さんに伝言をお願いできますか。 Could I ask you to pass a message to Mr. Suzuki?
2. 母から伝言があって、今日は早く帰ってほしいそうだ。 There was a message from my mother saying she wants me to come home early today.
3. 伝言を忘れてしまって上司に叱られた。 I forgot to pass along the message and got scolded by my boss.

Usage Guide

Context: office, phone calls, daily life

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Compound of 伝 (den, to transmit/convey) and 言 (gon, word/speech). Together, 'transmitted words' — a message passed from one person to another.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal