言い含める

• Reading: いいふくめる
• Romaji: iifukumeru
• Kanji breakdown: 言 (gen/i) — speak, say; 含 (gan/fuku) — contain, include, impart
• Pronunciation: /i.i.ɸɯ.kɯ.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To give careful private instructions; to caution someone beforehand; to tell someone what to do or not do in no uncertain terms.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb combining 言う (to say) and 含める (to include/impart). 言い含める implies that the speaker has taken care to convey instructions clearly and privately — often to prevent a mistake or indiscretion. The object is usually a person who is younger, less experienced, or in a dependent position. It is more directive than 頼む (to ask) and more intimate than 命じる (to order).

Examples

1. 母は旅に出る前に子どもたちに、見知らぬ人についていかないよう言い含めた。 Before setting out on the journey, the mother carefully told her children not to go off with strangers.
2. 部長は新入社員に機密情報の扱い方を丁寧に言い含めておいた。 The department head took care to instruct the new employee clearly on how to handle confidential information.
3. しっかり言い含めておいたつもりだったのに、後から誤解が生じた。 I thought I had made the instructions perfectly clear, but a misunderstanding arose afterwards.

Usage Guide

Context: family, workplace, education, literature

Tone: instructive

Origin & History

Compound of 言う (to speak) and 含める (to include, to impart; from 含 meaning to hold in the mouth/to incorporate). The image is of carefully placing words inside someone's understanding, ensuring the message is absorbed.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: General