Meaning and Usage
"報告" (ほうこく) primarily means "report" or "to report." It is used both as a noun and a verb (when combined with する). It refers to the act of conveying information, updates, or results to someone, often in a formal or business context.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "報告" in workplaces, schools, or official settings where progress, incidents, or results need to be communicated clearly. For example, reporting project progress, accidents, or sales figures.
Collocations and Patterns
- 報告する: to report (verb form)
- 進捗を報告する: to report progress
- 報告書: a written report
- 事故を報告する: to report an accident
Register and Politeness
"報告" is generally neutral to formal. It is appropriate in business and official communication. When speaking casually, people might use simpler verbs like "伝える" (to tell) instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "報告" with "連絡" (れんらく), which means "contact" or "communication." "報告" implies giving a formal or official update, while "連絡" is more general communication. Use "報告" when you want to emphasize the act of reporting information formally.