言(い)う

いう

verb (godan)

to say, to tell

1. to say, to tell

The most common verb for verbal expression. Used when someone speaks words or expresses something verbally. Unlike 話(はな)す (hanasu) which emphasizes conversation or storytelling, 言(い)う focuses on the act of uttering specific words or statements.

彼(かれ)は「行(い)きたくない」と言(い)いました。

He said, 'I don't want to go.'

Direct quotation with と particle

何(なに)を言(い)っているの？

What are you saying?

Te-iru form for ongoing action

本当(ほんとう)のことを言(い)ってください。

Please tell me the truth.

Te-form as request

先生(せんせい)は明日(あした)テストがあると言(い)いました。

The teacher said there will be a test tomorrow.

Indirect quotation with と

母(はは)は「早(はや)く起(お)きなさい」と毎朝(まいあさ)言(い)いますが、私(わたし)は起(お)きたくないといつも思(おも)っています。

My mother says 'Get up early!' every morning, but I always think I don't want to get up.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). No pair verb. Pattern: 「〜」と言(い)う (say '~') or Xを言(い)う (say X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing or repeated action. 言(い)っている = 'is saying' or 'has been saying.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

「〜」と言(い)う (say '~' - quotation)
〜と言(い)われている (it is said that ~)
言(い)い方(かた) (way of saying)
と言(い)えば (speaking of)

Compare: 話(はな)す emphasizes conversation/storytelling, while 言(い)う focuses on the specific words uttered.

言(い)う

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