宣伝

• Reading: せんでん
• Romaji: senden
• Kanji breakdown: 宣 (sen) — to proclaim, to announce; 伝 (den) — to transmit, to convey
• Pronunciation: /seɴ.deɴ/

Meaning

Publicity; advertisement; advertising; propaganda. The act of making something widely known.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to publicize or promote. While 広告 focuses on paid advertisements, 宣伝 has a broader meaning that includes word-of-mouth promotion and propaganda. Common collocations include 宣伝する (to promote), 口コミで宣伝する (to spread by word of mouth), and 宣伝活動 (promotional activities).

Examples

1. 友達が自分のお店を宣伝していた。 My friend was promoting their own shop.
2. テレビで宣伝しているお菓子を買ってみた。 I tried buying the snack I saw advertised on TV.
3. もっと宣伝しないとお客さんが来ないよ。 You won't get any customers if you don't promote more.

Usage Guide

Context: marketing, social media, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 宣 (to proclaim, to announce) and 伝 (to transmit, to convey). The combination means to proclaim and spread information widely.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal