言う

• Reading: いう
• Romaji: iu
• Kanji breakdown: 言 (gen/i) — to say, words
• Pronunciation: /i.ɯ/

Meaning

To say; to utter; to declare; to state. Focuses on the content of what is spoken.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb with a u-stem. Historically written as 言ふ. The te-form is 言って. Often used with the quotation particle と to mark what was said (先生が来ると言った). Different from 話す, which emphasises the act of speaking; 言う emphasises what is being expressed.

Examples

1. 先生は何と言いましたか。 What did the teacher say?
2. 日本語でどう言いますか。 How do you say this in Japanese?
3. 彼は明日来ると言った。 He said he's coming tomorrow.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, reporting, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese ifu. The kanji 言 depicts words (horizontal lines) coming from a mouth, representing the act of verbalising thoughts.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal