How to say "messenger" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 使者ししゃnounA messenger in a formal or official sense; the word also covers an envoy or emissary, so it fits someone formally dispatched to bear a message or represent the sender.
- 使いつかいnounThe ordinary word for a person sent on an errand or to bear a message; its errand-boy and errand-girl senses make it the everyday choice for casual message-running and small tasks.
- 伝令でんれいnounA messenger who relays orders or instructions, such as a military orderly or runner; for the general sense of 'messenger' this is really the relaying-orders word, not the everyday errand word.
- お使いおつかいnounThe polite counterpart of 使い, with the same messenger and errand senses; it fits when speaking politely, for instance about an errand someone has been sent on.
Use 「使い」 for everyday errands and message-bearing, 「お使い」 when speaking politely, 使者 for formal or official messengers and envoys, and 伝令 for a messenger relaying orders, such as a military runner.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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