消息(しょうそく)

しょうそく
noun
whereabouts; news (of a person)
formalcommunicationcognition
1. whereabouts; news from or about someone
Information about a person's current situation, location, or well-being. Often used when someone has been out of contact or is missing.
消息(しょうそく)が途絶(とだ)えた。
Contact was lost.
彼(かれ)の消息(しょうそく)を知(し)っていますか。
Do you know anything about his whereabouts?
行方(ゆくえ)不明(ふめい)になった登山者(とざんしゃ)の消息(しょうそく)は、いまだにわかっていない。
The whereabouts of the missing climber are still unknown.

消息(しょうそく) refers to news about someone's whereabouts or well-being, or to information from sources. A somewhat literary and formal word.

Common collocations

  • 消息(しょうそく)が途絶(とだ)える: to lose contact with someone
  • 消息(しょうそく)を絶(た)つ: to disappear, cut off contact
  • 消息(しょうそく)不明(ふめい): whereabouts unknown
  • 消息(しょうそく)筋(すじ): informed sources (news/journalism term)
  • 消息(しょうそく)を知(し)る: to learn of someone's whereabouts

Usage

Often used in serious contexts — missing persons, lost contact, or news reporting. In everyday speech, 連絡(れんらく) (contact) is more natural for routine communication.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 連絡(れんらく) (contact, communication)
Compare: 便(たよ)り (news, tidings)
Compare: 安否(あんぴ) (safety, well-being)
Compare: 音沙汰(おとさた) (news)
Related: 近況報告(きんきょうほうこく) (update on recent situation)
general
Added 2026.3.25 10:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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