Japanese word

消息

Pronunciation

Romajishōsoku

Meaning

  • nounword

Example

彼から消息がありません。kare ka ra shō soku ga a ri ma se n

There has been no word from him.

Illustration for 消息 (word)

More examples

昔の友人の消息を、偶然知ることができました。mukashi no yū jin no shō soku o gū zen shi ru ko to ga de ki ma shi ta

I happened to learn what became of an old friend.

Core concept

Describes news that connects others to a person by revealing the person's situation, location, or recent condition.

Common phrases

  • 消息を絶つshō soku o ta tsu

    cut off all contact

  • 消息を尋ねるshō soku o tazu ne ru

    ask about someone's whereabouts

  • 消息を知るshō soku o shi ru

    find out what became of someone

  • 消息を伝えるshō soku o tsuta e ru

    give news of someone

Similar words

便りtayori: News or a message that comes from a person or place.
音信onshin: News or contact received from a person, especially after a period without contact.
動静dōsei: A person's movements, situation, or current activities as reported formally.

Definition in Japanese

人についての安否や所在、近況などを伝える知らせ。hito ni tsu i te no an pi ya sho zai kin kyō na do o tsuta e ru shi ra se

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 消息 (shōsoku) comes from a Chinese compound in which 消 (shō, "decrease") and 息 (soku, "increase") describe ebb and flow, a sense that developed into news or information.

Usage tips

  • In modern Japanese, 消息 (shōsoku) is more formal than everyday 便り (tayori) and often suits reports about a person's status or whereabouts.

Other meanings

  • contactnoun
  • whereaboutsnoun

Word lists with this word