1.
way of saying; wording; phrasing
The manner or way in which something is expressed in words. Often used to comment on how something was said rather than what was said.
その言い様はひどい。
That's a terrible way to put it.
もっと別の言い様があるだろう。
There must be a better way to say it.
彼女の言い様だと、まるで私が悪いみたいだ。
The way she puts it, it sounds like I'm the one at fault.
Composed of 言い (saying, from 言う) and 様 (manner, way). Focuses on the manner of expression rather than the content. Often used in critical or evaluative contexts — commenting that someone's phrasing was rude, misleading, or could have been better.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 言い様がない: there is no way to express it; indescribable
- 言い様が悪い: poorly worded
- その言い様は〜: that way of saying it is ~
- 別の言い様: another way to say it
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 言い方: way of saying — very similar and more common in everyday speech
- 表現: expression — more formal; refers to the expression itself rather than the manner
- 物言い: manner of speaking — somewhat literary; can also mean a complaint or objection