言(い)い方(かた)

いいかた
noun
way of saying, wording, phrasing
communication
1. way of saying, wording, phrasing, expression
The manner in which something is expressed or worded. Often used when discussing whether something was said appropriately, or when suggesting a better way to phrase something.
その言(い)い方(かた)はひどい。
That's a terrible way to put it.
もう少(すこ)し優(やさ)しい言(い)い方(かた)はできないの？
Can't you say it in a nicer way?
言(い)い方(かた)を変(か)えれば、「失敗(しっぱい)」ではなく「経験(けいけん)」だ。
Put another way, it's not a "failure" but an "experience."

Usage

言(い)い方(かた) focuses on how something is expressed, not what is said. It is very commonly used when criticizing or commenting on someone's tone or phrasing. The pattern ～の言(い)い方(かた) can refer to a specific person's way of speaking or a particular phrasing.

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: 言(い)い回(まわ)し (phrasing, expression)
Synonym: 話(はな)し方(かた) (way of speaking; general)
Related: 発音(はつおん) (pronunciation)
Compare: 表現(ひょうげん) (expression)
Related: 口(くち)ぶり (way of talking)
Compare: 言(い)い様(よう) (way of saying)
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:51 · Revised 2026.9.9 0:23
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