When you want to express "to say" in Japanese, the most common verb you'll use is 言う (iu). It's a versatile verb and can be used in many contexts where you would use "to say," "to tell," or "to speak" in English. For instance, if you want to say "I said something," you would use 言う. It's an essential verb for basic communication.
§ Understanding 言う (iu)
You might already know that 言う (iu) means 'to say' in Japanese. It's a fundamental verb, and you'll hear and use it constantly. But like many words, its usage goes a bit deeper than a simple one-to-one translation. Let's break down how to use it naturally in sentences, covering the particles and common patterns you'll encounter.
First, a quick grammar refresher: 言う (iu) is a Godan verb (also known as a Group 1 verb or u-verb). This means its conjugations follow a specific pattern, which you'll need to remember when changing its form (e.g., to past tense, negative, or polite form).
§ Basic sentence structure with と (to)
The most common way to quote what someone said, or to state a thought or opinion, is to use the particle と (to) immediately before 言う (iu). This と (to) acts like quotation marks or indicates that the preceding phrase is the content of what was said or thought.
- Pattern
- [Content of what was said/thought] + と + 言う
彼は「行かない」と言いました。
- Hint
- He said, 'I won't go.'
彼女は明日来ると言っていました。
- Hint
- She said she would come tomorrow.
§ Indicating who is being spoken to with に (ni)
If you want to specify who someone is speaking to, you use the particle に (ni) after the person. This is straightforward and very similar to how you'd use 'to' in English.
- Pattern
- [Speaker] + は/が + [Person being spoken to] + に + [Content] + と + 言う
先生は学生に日本語を勉強しろと言いました。
- Hint
- The teacher told the students to study Japanese.
私は彼に秘密を言いました。
- Hint
- I told him a secret.
§ Expressing how something is said
You can also use 言う (iu) to describe how something is said. This often involves adverbs or adverbial phrases. For example, to say something 'loudly' or 'quietly'.
彼女は静かに「ありがとう」と言いました。
- Hint
- She quietly said, 'Thank you.'
彼は大きな声で言いました。
- Hint
- He said it in a loud voice.
§ Passive form: 言われる (iwareru)
The passive form of 言う (iu) is 言われる (iwareru), meaning 'to be told' or 'to be said'. This is important when the focus is on the recipient of the information, or when the speaker is not explicitly stated.
- Pattern
- [Person who was told] + は/が + [Content] + と + 言われる
私は「頑張れ」と言われました。
- Hint
- I was told to 'do my best.'
これは一般的にそう言われています。
- Hint
- This is generally said to be so. (This is generally accepted.)
§ Common phrases and expressions
言う (iu) appears in many fixed expressions. Learning these will make your Japanese sound more natural.
- AというB (A to iu B): B called A, or B that is A. This is used to define or name something.
「ポケモン」というゲームが人気です。
- Hint
- A game called 'Pokémon' is popular.
- 〜と言っても (〜 to itte mo): Although one says that... / Even if one says that...
寒いと言っても、雪は降りません。
- Hint
- Even though it's cold, it won't snow.
Mastering 言う (iu) means paying attention to the particles that come with it and the context. Keep practicing with these patterns, and you'll soon be using it like a native speaker.
How Formal Is It?
"先生が、「よくできました」と申しました。 (The teacher said, "Well done.")"
"彼は「ただいま」と言った。 (He said, "I'm home.")"
"「マジで？」って言った。 ("Seriously?" I said.)"
"ママが「おやすみ」って言ってたよ。 (Mommy said "Goodnight.")"
"「やべぇ」とか言ってた。 (He was saying things like, "That's messed up.")"
수준별 예문
これは日本語で何と言いますか？
How do you say this in Japanese?
彼が言ったことを信じられません。
I can't believe what he said.
彼女は「はい」と言って、笑顔で応えました。
She said 'yes' and responded with a smile.
正直に言って、あまり好きではありません。
To be honest, I don't like it much.
先生はもっと勉強するように言いました。
The teacher told me to study more.
彼はいつも面白いことを言います。
He always says interesting things.
そのニュースを聞いて、なんて言ったらいいか分からなかった。
Upon hearing the news, I didn't know what to say.
「ありがとう」と言うのを忘れてはいけません。
You shouldn't forget to say 'thank you'.
そのニュースを聞いて、彼は何も言わなかった。
Hearing that news, he said nothing.
正直に言うと、私は彼の意見に賛成できません。
To be honest, I can't agree with his opinion.
彼女はいつも思ったことをはっきり言うタイプだ。
She's the type who always clearly says what she thinks.
医者は私にもっと運動するように言いました。
The doctor told me to exercise more.
彼は「ありがとう」と言う代わりに、ただ微笑んだ。
Instead of saying "thank you," he just smiled.
言葉では言い表せないほど感謝しています。
I am grateful beyond words.
この件については、後で詳しく言います。
Regarding this matter, I will speak in detail later.
どういう意味か、もう少し詳しく言っていただけますか？
Could you explain what you mean in a little more detail?
어휘 가족
명사
동사
셀프 테스트 18 질문
Choose the correct way to say 'I say'.
'言います' (iimasu) is the polite form of '言う' (iu), meaning 'to say'.
Which sentence means 'What did you say?'
'何を言いましたか？' (Nani o iimashita ka?) uses the past tense of '言う' (iu) to ask 'What did you say?'.
How do you say 'Please say it again'?
'もう一度言ってください' (Mou ichido itte kudasai) uses the 'te-form' of '言う' (iu) plus 'ください' (kudasai) to form a polite request.
The sentence '彼は言います' (Kare wa iimasu) means 'He eats'.
'彼は言います' (Kare wa iimasu) means 'He says'. The verb for 'to eat' is '食べる' (taberu).
'言わない' (Iwanai) is the negative form of '言う' (iu), meaning 'to not say'.
'言わない' (Iwanai) is indeed the negative form of '言う' (iu).
You can use '言う' (iu) to ask 'What is your name?'
While '言う' (iu) is 'to say', to ask 'What is your name?' you would typically use 'お名前は何ですか？' (O-namae wa nan desu ka?) or '何と言いますか？' (Nan to iimasu ka?) in a very specific context. You would not directly use '言う' on its own to form this question.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は「ただいま」と___。
The sentence means 'He said "I'm home."' '言いました' (iimashita) is the past tense of '言う' (iu), meaning 'to say.'
Which sentence correctly uses '言う' to express an opinion?
This sentence means 'I said that it was a good idea,' correctly using '言う' to express an opinion. The other options use '言う' incorrectly in context.
Select the best option to complete the conversation: A:「このレストラン、どう思う？」B:「私は美味しいと___。」
The conversation means 'A: "What do you think of this restaurant?" B: "I say it's delicious." '言います' (iimasu) is the present tense of '言う' (iu), meaning 'to say,' fitting the context of expressing an opinion.
You can use '言う' to ask a question.
'言う' means 'to say' or 'to tell.' To ask a question, you would typically use '聞く' (kiku - to ask/hear).
The past tense of '言う' (iu) is '言った' (itta).
'言った' (itta) is the casual past tense of the verb '言う' (iu). The polite past tense is '言いました' (iimashita).
When you want to tell someone to 'say something,' you would use '言ってください' (itte kudasai).
'言ってください' (itte kudasai) is the polite command form of '言う' (iu), meaning 'please say' or 'please tell me.'
What is he saying?
She's the type to say what she wants clearly.
I'll talk about that in detail later.
Read this aloud:
これは私が言いたかったことの全てです。
Focus: 言いたかった
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼はいつも正直に言うので、信頼できます。
Focus: 正直に言う
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
もっと具体的な例を挙げてくださいと言われました。
Focus: 挙げてくださいと言われました
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
관련 콘텐츠
communication 관련 단어
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
