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A2 verb 7 min read

届ける

Examples Notes & Tips 届ける in 30 Seconds
Explanation 届ける in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should focus on the simplest meaning of todokeru: taking something to someone. Think of it as 'to bring' or 'to give' by taking a trip. You might use it when you find something a friend dropped and you take it to them. At this stage, just remember the basic structure: [Item] o [Person] ni todokeru. For example, 'Hon o tomodachi ni todokemasu' (I will deliver the book to my friend). Don't worry about the 'reporting' or 'metaphorical' meanings yet. Just focus on physical objects like books, food, or letters. It is a Group 2 verb, which means the conjugation is easy: just drop -ru and add -masu.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use todokeru in more practical, everyday situations. This includes understanding the word in the context of Japanese delivery services (takkyubin) and reporting lost items at a police box (koban). You should be able to distinguish it from todoku (to arrive). For instance, if you are at a restaurant, you might hear about food being delivered. If you lose your wallet, you should know to say 'Saifu o todokemashita' (I reported/handed in the wallet). You should also be comfortable using the past tense todoketa and the negative todokenai in simple conversations about your daily activities.
By B1, you should understand the more formal applications of todokeru. This includes administrative tasks like submitting a 'marriage notification' (kekkon-todoke) or a 'moving-out notice' (tenshutsu-todoke). You will also start to see the word used in metaphorical contexts, such as 'delivering a message to the world.' You should be able to use the humble form otodoke-shimasu in a business setting when speaking to a client. At this level, you should also be able to recognize and use compound forms like motte-todokeru (to carry and deliver) and understand the nuance between todokeru and haitatsu-suru (professional delivery).
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use todokeru with precision in various registers. You can use it to describe abstract concepts, such as delivering hope or inspiration through a performance. You should also be familiar with the noun forms like todoke-de (official report/notification) and how they function in legal or corporate documents. You can explain the difference between todokeru and other verbs of sending like hasshin-suru (to transmit) or teishutsu-suru (to submit). Your use of particles should be flawless, and you should be able to navigate complex sentences involving multiple actors and destinations.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the poetic and nuanced uses of todokeru. You might encounter it in literature or high-level journalism to describe the delivery of justice, the reaching of a consensus, or the impact of a social movement. You understand how the word interacts with Japanese social hierarchy, using the most appropriate honorific or humble forms without hesitation. You can also discuss the etymology and the subtle psychological weight the word carries—the idea of 'reaching' someone's heart. You are comfortable reading official government forms where todokeru appears in technical, legal contexts.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of todokeru is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You can use it in creative writing to evoke specific moods, or in complex legal arguments where the exact nature of a 'notification' (todoke) has significant implications. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its kanji (届), and you can use it in puns or high-level wordplay. You are capable of teaching the subtle distinctions between this and its synonyms to others, and you can navigate any situation, from a casual chat with a delivery driver to a formal presentation in a courtroom, using the word with perfect accuracy and cultural sensitivity.
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Examples Notes & Tips

届ける in 30 Seconds

  • Todokeru means to deliver or report something.
  • It is a transitive verb, so you use the 'o' particle.
  • Commonly used for packages, mail, and official notices.
  • Distinguish it from 'todoku', which means 'to arrive'.

The Japanese verb 届ける (todokeru) is a versatile and essential word that primarily functions as a transitive verb meaning 'to deliver,' 'to send,' or 'to report.' At its core, it describes the action of someone taking an object, information, or even a feeling from one point and ensuring it reaches its intended destination. Unlike its intransitive counterpart 届く (todoku), which focuses on the state of something arriving, todokeru emphasizes the agent—the person doing the delivering or the reporting. This distinction is crucial for learners to master early on. In daily Japanese life, you will encounter this word in three main contexts: the physical delivery of goods, the official reporting of documents to authorities, and the metaphorical delivery of abstract concepts like voices or emotions.

Physical Delivery
This is the most common use. It refers to a courier bringing a package to your door, a friend dropping off a book you forgot, or a restaurant delivering a hot pizza. When you use todokeru here, you are focusing on the movement of the item to the recipient.

ピザを家まで届けます。 (I will deliver the pizza to the house.)

Official Reporting
In a more formal or administrative sense, todokeru means to notify or file a report with an official body. This could be reporting a lost wallet at a police box (koban) or submitting a marriage registration at the city hall. In these cases, you are 'delivering' information or documents to the state.

Beyond these, the word takes on a beautiful nuance when used metaphorically. For example, a singer might want to 'deliver' their song to the hearts of the audience, or a protester might want to 'deliver' their voice to the government. This broad range makes it a fundamental building block of Japanese communication. Whether you are dealing with a logistics company or the local bureaucracy, todokeru is the bridge that connects the source to the destination.

Using 届ける correctly requires an understanding of Japanese particles, specifically を (o) and に (ni). Since it is a transitive verb, the object being delivered is marked with o, and the destination or recipient is marked with ni or made. The basic structure is [Person A] ga [Object] o [Recipient/Place] ni todokeru. For example, 'Tanaka-san delivered the letter to the office' would be 'Tanaka-san ga tegami o jimusho ni todokemashita.' This structure is very consistent across its different meanings.

忘れ物を学校に届けた。 (I delivered the forgotten item to the school.)

Grammar Pattern: ~te todokeru
Sometimes todokeru is combined with other verbs in the -te form. For instance, motte todokeru means 'to take and deliver.' This emphasizes the physical act of carrying the item before the delivery occurs.

When using the word in an official reporting context, the object is often a todoke (a noun derived from the verb). For example, kekkon-todoke is a marriage notification. You would say kekkon-todoke o dasu or kekkon-todoke o todokeru, though the former is slightly more common in casual speech. However, for lost items, you almost always use todokeru. If you find a wallet, you go to the koban and say, 'Saifu o todoke ni kimashita' (I came to report/deliver a wallet).

In polite society, you might use the humble form otodoke-suru when you are delivering something to a superior or a customer. For example, 'I will deliver the documents tomorrow' becomes 'Ashita, shiryo o otodoke-shimasu.' This shows respect and professional courtesy, which is highly valued in Japanese business culture.

If you live in Japan, you will hear 届ける almost every day, but often in specific environments. The most frequent place is at your front door. Delivery drivers from Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express often say, 'O-nimotsu o otodoke ni mairimashita' (I have come to deliver your package). This formal usage is standard in the service industry. You will also see the word on websites for online shopping, specifically in sections labeled otodoke-bi (delivery date) or otodoke-saki (delivery destination).

At the Police Station (Koban)
If you lose your residence card or phone, the first thing a friend or officer will ask is, 'Keisatsu ni todokemashita ka?' (Did you report it to the police?). Here, todokeru is the standard term for filing a lost property report.

落とし物を警察に届けました。 (I reported the lost item to the police.)

In the media, particularly in music and television, todokeru is used to describe the act of reaching an audience. A TV host might end a program by saying, 'Kyo mo genki o otodoke-shimashita!' (We delivered energy/cheer to you today!). This metaphorical use is very common in commercials, where brands promise to 'deliver happiness' or 'deliver quality' to their customers. In anime, characters might talk about 'delivering their feelings' (omoi o todokeru) to a love interest or a distant friend.

Finally, in the workplace, your boss might ask you to todokeru a document to another department. It implies a sense of responsibility—you aren't just sending it; you are ensuring it gets there. In short, todokeru is a word of action, transition, and completion that permeates Japanese social and professional life.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers learning Japanese is confusing 届ける (todokeru) with 届く (todoku). This is a classic transitive/intransitive pair. Todokeru is the action you do (delivering), while todoku is the result (arriving). If you say 'Nimotsu ga todoketa,' you are saying 'The package delivered (something),' which makes no sense. The correct way to say 'The package arrived' is 'Nimotsu ga todoita.'

Confusing Particles
Another mistake is using the particle de instead of ni for the destination. While de marks where an action happens, ni or made marks the target of the delivery. Say 'Gakko ni todokeru,' not 'Gakko de todokeru' (unless you are performing the act of delivery while inside the school building, which is rarely what you mean).

❌ 荷物が届けた。 (Incorrect)
✅ 荷物が届いた。 (Correct: The package arrived.)
✅ 荷物を届けた。 (Correct: I delivered the package.)

Learners also sometimes confuse todokeru with okuru (to send). While they are similar, okuru is more general. You can okuru an email or a package through the mail, but todokeru often implies the final leg of the journey or a more personal, direct hand-off. You wouldn't usually use todokeru for an email because there is no physical 'delivery' in the traditional sense, though you might 'deliver' a digital report in a professional context.

Finally, beware of the nuance in 'reporting.' If you are reporting a crime you witnessed, you might use houkoku-suru (to report/inform) or tsuho-suru (to alert police). Use todokeru specifically when you are submitting a physical document or a specific administrative notice, like a change of address (jusho-henko-todoke).

To sound more natural, it is important to know when to use 届ける and when to choose a synonym. The Japanese language has many words for 'sending' and 'delivering' depending on the method and the level of formality. Understanding these subtle differences will elevate your Japanese from basic to intermediate.

送る (Okuru) vs. 届ける (Todokeru)
Okuru is the general word for 'to send.' You use it for mail, emails, or sending people home. Todokeru is more specific to the act of ensuring the item reaches the destination. If you send a letter by mail, you okuru it. The mailman todokeru it to the house.
配達する (Haitatsu-suru)
This is a more formal, technical term for 'to deliver,' usually used in business or logistics. A newspaper delivery person haitatsu the papers. While todokeru can be used for friends or business, haitatsu is almost exclusively for professional services.
提出する (Teishutsu-suru)
This means 'to submit.' Use this for homework, reports, or applications. While you can todokeru a report to an office, teishutsu-suru is the standard academic and professional term for handing in work.

Comparison:
1. 荷物を届ける (Deliver a package - general)
2. 荷物を配達する (Deliver a package - professional service)
3. 荷物を送る (Send a package - by mail/courier)

Another interesting alternative is tsutaeru (to convey). When you want to deliver a message or your feelings, tsutaeru focuses on the communication, while todokeru focuses on the effort of making sure those feelings reach the other person. Choosing todokeru in a song title, for example, sounds more poetic and intentional than tsutaeru.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 届 consists of the 'body' radical (尸) and a phonetic component. It originally depicted someone reaching a limit or a destination.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɒdɒkeɾɯ/
US /toʊdoʊkeɪɾu/
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'todokeru', the pitch is typically low-high-high-low (Heiban or Nakadaka depending on dialect, but standard is often flat/Heiban).
Rhymes With
Makeru (to lose) Takeru (to excel) Sukeru (to be transparent) Bakeru (to transform) Kakeru (to hang) Nukeru (to come out) Ukeru (to receive) Tsukeru (to attach)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'ru' like the English 'r' in 'red'.
  • Confusing the pitch with 'todoku'.
  • Over-stressing the second syllable.
  • Making the 'e' sound in 'ke' too long.
  • Neglecting the double 'o' vowel length if speaking quickly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji is relatively simple (JLPT N3/N4 level) and the word is common.

Writing 3/5

Writing the kanji '届' requires attention to the stroke order of the 'body' radical.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to conjugate as an Ichidan verb, but must distinguish from 'todoku'.

Listening 2/5

Very frequent in daily life, especially with deliveries.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

行く (iku) 来る (kuru) 荷物 (nimotsu) 手紙 (tegami) 警察 (keisatsu)

Learn Next

配達 (haitatsu) 発送 (hassou) 受領 (juryou) 連絡 (renraku) 提出 (teishutsu)

Advanced

委託 (itaku) 譲渡 (jouto) 送付 (soufu) 奏上 (soujou) 申告 (shinkoku)
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Examples by Level

1

手紙を届けます。

I will deliver the letter.

Simple present tense using the -masu form.

2

本を友達に届けました。

I delivered the book to my friend.

Past tense -mashita with the destination particle 'ni'.

3

これ、届けてください。

Please deliver this.

Request form -te kudasai.

4

お弁当を届けますか？

Will you deliver the bento?

Question form.

5

荷物を届けに行きます。

I am going to deliver the luggage.

Verb stem + ni ikimasu (going to do something).

6

花を母に届けたいです。

I want to deliver flowers to my mother.

-tai form expressing desire.

7

あした届けます。

I will deliver it tomorrow.

Time adverb 'ashita' used with the verb.

8

だれが届けますか？

Who will deliver it?

Interrogative 'dare' used as the subject.

1

忘れ物を警察に届けた。

I reported the forgotten item to the police.

Casual past tense. Note the meaning 'to report/hand in'.

2

ピザを30分で届けます。

We deliver pizza in 30 minutes.

Time duration '30-pun de' (within 30 minutes).

3

荷物をどこに届けますか？

Where should I deliver the package?

Interrogative 'doko' for destination.

4

毎日新聞を届けています。

I deliver newspapers every day.

-te iru form for habitual action.

5

駅まで荷物を届けましょうか？

Shall I deliver the luggage to the station?

-mashou ka form for offering help.

6

名前を届ける必要があります。

It is necessary to report your name.

Verb + hitsuyou ga arimasu (need to do).

7

彼は荷物を届けに来なかった。

He didn't come to deliver the package.

Negative past tense -konakatta.

8

荷物を届けるのを忘れました。

I forgot to deliver the package.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

1

役所に結婚届を届けました。

I submitted the marriage notification to the city hall.

Specific noun 'kekkon-todoke'.

2

この歌を皆さんの心に届けたい。

I want to deliver this song to everyone's hearts.

Metaphorical use of 'todokeru'.

3

荷物を安全に届けることが大切だ。

It is important to deliver packages safely.

Adverb 'anzen ni' modifying the verb.

4

書類を明日までに届けておきます。

I will deliver the documents by tomorrow (in preparation).

-te oku form for preparatory action.

5

彼は私の声を政府に届けてくれた。

He delivered my voice (concerns) to the government.

-te kureru (doing someone a favor).

6

住所変更を届けるのを忘れないで。

Don't forget to report your change of address.

Negative imperative -naide.

7

プレゼントをサプライズで届けた。

I delivered the present as a surprise.

Using 'de' to describe the manner of action.

8

資料を速達で届けることにした。

I decided to deliver the documents by express mail.

koto ni shita (decided to do).

1

最新のニュースをいち早く届けます。

We deliver the latest news as quickly as possible.

Adverb 'ichihayaku' (promptly).

2

被災地に食料を届けるボランティアをした。

I volunteered to deliver food to the disaster-stricken area.

Noun modification with the verb phrase.

3

商品をお客様に直接届けるサービスです。

This is a service that delivers products directly to customers.

Adverb 'chokusetsu' (directly).

4

私の思いが彼女に届くように手紙を書いた。

I wrote a letter so that my feelings would reach her.

Using 'todoku' (intransitive) with 'you ni' (so that).

5

欠席届は担任の先生に届けてください。

Please deliver the absence notice to your homeroom teacher.

Formal noun 'kesseki-todoke'.

6

この荷物を届ける途中で事故に遭った。

I met with an accident while on the way to deliver this package.

Verb + 'tochu de' (on the way).

7

真実を国民に届けるのが記者の使命だ。

It is a journalist's mission to deliver the truth to the citizens.

Abstract concept as an object.

8

荷物を届けるだけでなく、笑顔も届けたい。

I want to deliver not only packages but also smiles.

~dake de naku (not only...).

1

支援物資を滞りなく届けるための計画を立てる。

We will make a plan to deliver relief supplies without delay.

Adverb 'todokōrinaku' (smoothly/without hitch).

2

伝統の味を次世代に届けるのが我々の役割だ。

Our role is to deliver traditional flavors to the next generation.

Metaphorical delivery of culture.

3

裁判所に訴状を届ける手続きを進める。

Proceed with the procedures to deliver the complaint to the court.

Legal context.

4

勇気と希望を届けるため、彼は走り続けた。

To deliver courage and hope, he continued to run.

Abstract objects 'yuuki' and 'kibou'.

5

その情報は速やかに当局へ届けられた。

That information was promptly reported to the authorities.

Passive voice 'todokerareta'.

6

感謝の気持ちを込めて、この品を届けます。

I deliver this item with a heart full of gratitude.

~o komete (with/full of).

7

彼の言葉は、何層もの壁を越えて民衆に届けられた。

His words reached the people, overcoming many layers of barriers.

Literary expression.

8

遺失物届を出す際、詳細を正確に届ける必要がある。

When filing a lost property report, it is necessary to report details accurately.

Formal administrative context.

1

一縷の望みを託して、救援のメッセージを届けた。

Entrusting a ray of hope, I delivered a message for rescue.

High-level idiom 'ichiru no nozomi'.

2

芸術の真髄を後世に届けることは、我々の至上命題である。

Delivering the essence of art to posterity is our supreme mission.

Advanced vocabulary 'shinzui' and 'shijou meidai'.

3

不祥事の発覚後、直ちに辞職届を届け出た。

Immediately after the scandal was uncovered, he filed his resignation.

Using 'todoke-deta' (filed a report).

4

民意を政治に届ける仕組みの再構築が急務だ。

Restructuring the mechanism for delivering the will of the people to politics is an urgent matter.

Political/Sociological context.

5

古の知恵を現代に届けるべく、彼は翻訳に没頭した。

To deliver ancient wisdom to the present day, he immersed himself in translation.

Formal particle 'beku' (in order to).

6

その旋律は、時空を超えて聴衆の魂に届けられた。

The melody reached the souls of the audience, transcending time and space.

Poetic/Philosophical use.

7

物流の効率化により、商品をより安価に届けることが可能となった。

Through the streamlining of logistics, it has become possible to deliver products more cheaply.

Economic/Technical context.

8

一介の市民の声が、ついに最高権力者に届けられた。

The voice of a mere citizen finally reached the supreme leader.

Dramatic narrative style.

Common Collocations

荷物を届ける
書類を届ける
警察に届ける
声を届ける
思いを届ける
婚姻届を届ける
忘れ物を届ける
ピザを届ける
真心を届ける
速達で届ける

Common Phrases

お届け物です

— A phrase used by delivery people when they arrive at a door.

「お届け物です！」「はい、今開けます。」

届けを出す

— To file a report or notification with an authority.

警察に紛失届を出した。

心に届ける

— To touch someone's heart with words or actions.

彼の歌は聴衆の心に届けられた。

手元に届ける

— To deliver something directly into someone's hands.

新鮮な野菜を食卓に届けます。

速やかに届ける

— To deliver or report something promptly.

事故の状況を速やかに届ける。

直接届ける

— To deliver something in person without using a third party.

プレゼントを直接届けに行った。

役所に届ける

— To submit documents to the local government office.

転居届を役所に届ける。

声を届ける

— To make one's opinion or message heard by those in power.

若者の声を政治に届ける。

忘れずに届ける

— To make sure to deliver or report something without forgetting.

明日までに忘れずに届けてください。

笑顔を届ける

— A common service slogan meaning to provide friendly service.

私たちは世界中に笑顔を届けます。

Idioms & Expressions

"一縷の望みを届ける"

— To offer or provide a tiny ray of hope in a desperate situation.

被災者に一縷の望みを届ける支援を行う。

Literary
"天まで届ける"

— To make something reach as high as heaven (often used for loud voices or prayers).

歌声を天まで届けるように歌う。

Poetic
"真心を届ける"

— To deliver something with sincere devotion and care.

お客様一人ひとりに真心を届ける。

Business/Polite
"声を大にして届ける"

— To express one's views loudly and clearly so they are heard.

不満を声を大にして届ける必要がある。

Metaphorical
"想いを形にして届ける"

— To turn one's feelings into a physical gift and deliver it.

感謝の想いを形にして届けたい。

Poetic
"風に乗せて届ける"

— To let the wind carry a message or sound (poetic).

この調べを風に乗せて届けよう。

Poetic
"光を届ける"

— To bring hope or clarity to a dark situation.

絶望の中に光を届ける活動。

Metaphorical
"一刻も早く届ける"

— To deliver something as fast as humanly possible.

薬を一刻も早く患者に届ける。

Urgent
"手に届ける"

— To put something within someone's reach or possession.

最新技術を一般の人々の手に届ける。

Metaphorical
"歴史を次代に届ける"

— To pass down history or traditions to the next generation.

この文化を次代に届けるのが使命だ。

Literary

Word Family

Nouns

届け (todoke - report/notice)
届け出 (todokede - official report)
届け先 (todokesaki - destination)
お届け物 (otodokemono - delivery item)

Verbs

届く (todoku - to reach/arrive - intransitive)
届け出る (todokederu - to report formally)

Related

配達 (haitatsu - delivery)
転居届 (tenkyotodoke - moving notice)
紛失届 (funshitsutodoke - lost property report)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'TODAY' (to) I 'DO' (do) the 'CARE' (ke) of 'ROOM' (ru) delivery. You are taking care of the delivery today!

Visual Association

Imagine a delivery man with a 'TO-DO' list, checking off items as he 'KERU' (kicks - just for the sound) them to the door.

Word Web

Package Police Report City Hall Pizza Feelings Destination Courier

Challenge

Try to use 'todokeru' three times today: once for a physical object, once for a report, and once for a message.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Japanese word 'todoku', which meant to reach or to be fulfilled. The transitive form 'todokeru' emerged later to describe the cause of that reaching.

Original meaning: To cause something to reach its destination.

Japonic

Cultural Context

When reporting something to the police, use 'todokeru' for lost items, but for crimes, 'tsuho' (alert) is more appropriate.

In English, we use different words for 'deliver' (pizza) and 'report' (police). In Japanese, 'todokeru' covers both because both involve ensuring something reaches the right hands.

Kiki's Delivery Service (Majo no Takkyuubin) - The theme is all about 'todokeru'. Yamato Transport's 'Kuroneko' - The most famous 'todokeru' service in Japan. Many J-Pop songs use 'Omoi o todokeru' (Deliver my feelings) in their lyrics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Online Shopping

  • お届け予定日
  • お届け先住所
  • 再配達を依頼する
  • 荷物を届ける

At the Police Box

  • 落とし物を届ける
  • 紛失届を出す
  • 財布を届けに来ました
  • どこで届けますか？

At City Hall

  • 婚姻届を届ける
  • 転入届を出す
  • 書類を届ける
  • 手続きのために届ける

At Work

  • 資料を届ける
  • 取引先に届ける
  • 至急届けてください
  • 届け出が必要です

With Friends

  • 忘れ物を届ける
  • お土産を届ける
  • 家まで届けるよ
  • 後で届けてもいい？

Conversation Starters

"荷物をどこに届けましょうか？ (Where shall I deliver the package?)"

"最近、何か警察に届けたことはありますか？ (Have you reported anything to the police recently?)"

"ピザを届けてもらうのにいくらかかりますか？ (How much does it cost to have a pizza delivered?)"

"大切なメッセージを誰に届けたいですか？ (To whom do you want to deliver an important message?)"

"お届け物はいつ届く予定ですか？ (When is the delivery scheduled to arrive?)"

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送货 Chinese
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