～ように言う (tell someone to ~)

• Reading: ようにいう
• Romaji: you ni iu
• Formation: Verb (dictionary form) + ように言う / Verb ない-form + ように言う
• Kanji breakdown: 言 — say, speak, word

Meaning

Used to report an instruction, request, or directive given to someone. It conveys that the speaker told or asked another person to do something.

ように言う is an indirect quotation pattern for conveying instructions or requests. Unlike と言う, which directly quotes exact words, ように言う paraphrases the content as a directive. It naturally pairs with verbs in dictionary form for positive instructions and ない-form for prohibitions. The main verb can be replaced with other communication verbs such as 頼む (ask), 注意する (warn), or 伝える (convey). This pattern is essential for reported speech in workplace, family, and school contexts where relaying instructions is frequent.

Examples

1. 先生は学生に宿題を出すように言った。 The teacher told the students to submit their homework.
2. 医者は私に甘いものを食べないように言った。 The doctor told me not to eat sweet things.
3. 母は弟に部屋を片付けるように言いました。 My mother told my younger brother to tidy his room.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 父は私に早く寝るように言った。
• 店員にレシートをもらうように言ってください。
• 先輩に遅れないように言われました。

Don't Say

• 先生は学生に宿題を出すと言った。(と言う quotes exact words — for relaying a directive, use ように言う) → 先生は学生に宿題を出すように言った。
• 母は弟を部屋を片付けるように言った。(The person receiving the instruction needs に, not を) → 母は弟に部屋を片付けるように言った。

Origin & History

Combines the purposive ように with 言う (to say), creating an indirect speech construction for directives. This pattern reflects Japanese preference for indirect expression over direct quotation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal