How to say "forward" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 送るおくるgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'forward' in the sense of passing something along, such as a letter, package, or email, to another recipient or address; the emphasis is on sending it on its way.
- 届けるとどけるichidan verb, transitive verbAlso 'forward', but with the nuance of getting something into the recipient's hands; use it when the point is that the item reaches the person or office it is meant for.家に届けていただけますか。↗Can you deliver it to my house?
- nounOnly the sports sense: the forward or attacker position in games such as soccer or basketball. It never means 'forward' as a direction or the act of sending something on.
- 前方ぜんぽうno-adjectiveThe directional sense: 'forward' or 'ahead', meaning the space in front of you, as when looking ahead or speaking of the area in front of a vehicle. It is not a verb for sending things.
- 送り出すおくりだすgodan verb, transitive verbFor 'forward' this is marginal: its core meaning is to send something or someone out, as in showing a person out, so it is seldom the word you want for forwarding things.
Use 「送る」 for forwarding mail or messages on, 「届ける」 when the emphasis is on delivery, 前方 for the direction 'forward', 「フォワード」 for the sports position, and 「送り出す」 mainly for sending people or things out.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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