Definition and meaning of 言う - いう in Japanese
いう言う
iu
N4
1.to say
godan ~う verb
名前を言います。
Say your name.いう言う
iu
N4
1.to express thoughts or opinions verbally
Godan verb with 'u' ending
彼は真実を言う。
He tells the truth.先生が何と言ったか？
What did the teacher say? More examples
2.express something verbally.
Godan verb with 'u' ending
彼は私を友達と言う。
He calls me a friend.先生は私を優秀と言う。
The teacher calls me excellent. More examples
3.to say; to speak; to tell; to express
Godan verb with 'u' ending
目覚まし時計がピンと鳴って言う。
The alarm went ping.風がガサガサと音を立てて言う。
The wind made a rustling noise. More examples
Collocations
いうまでもない言うまでもない
iumademonai
N4
1.self-evident or goes without saying.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), I-adjective (keiyoushi)
彼女の美しさは言うまでもない。
Her beauty goes without saying.彼の才能は言うまでもないことだ。
His talent is needless to say. More examples
いうまでもなく言うまでもなく
iumademonaku
N4
1.stating the obvious or unnecessary to say.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
言うまでもなく、彼女はとても美しい。
Needless to say, she is very beautiful.言うまでもなく、彼は優秀な学生だ。
Obviously, he is an excellent student. More examples
いうとおり言う通り
iutoori
N4
1.in accordance with what someone says.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼はいつも言う通りに行動します。
He always acts as he says.先生の言う通りに宿題を提出しました。
I submitted my homework as the teacher said. More examples
いうなれば言うなれば
iunareba
N4
1.in a manner of speaking.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼女は、その映画を見て感動した言うなれば。
She was moved after watching the movie, so to speak.この料理は、甘酸っぱい味がする言うなれば。
This dish has a sweet and sour taste, so to speak. More examples
いうことをきく言うことを聞く
iu koto o kiku
N4
1.to follow instructions or advice; to obey someone's words
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Godan verb with 'ku' ending
彼はいつも親の言うことを聞く。
He always listens to what his parents say.先生のアドバイスを聞いてみよう。
Let's try listening to the teacher's advice. More examples
いうことをきかない言うことを聞かない
iu koto o kikanai
N4
1.not following instructions; disobedient
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), I-adjective (keiyoushi)
彼はいつも言うことを聞かない子供です。
He is always a disobedient child.あの犬は本当に言うことを聞かない。
That dog really doesn't listen to commands. More examples
いうなり言うなり
iunari
N4
1.obediently following instructions or orders.
Noun
彼は上司の言うなりに行動する。
He always acts according to what his boss tells him.彼女はいつも言うなりで従う人だ。
She is always obedient and follows orders without question. More examples
いうにいわれぬ言うに言われぬ
iu ni iwarenu
N4
1.impossible to put into words.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Noun or verb acting prenominally
彼女の美しさは言うに言われぬものだ。
Her beauty is beyond expression.その景色の美しさは言うに言われぬほどだ。
The beauty of that scenery is indescribable. More examples
いうことなし言うことなし
iukotonashi
N4
1.flawless, beyond expectations, nothing to criticize.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼の演技は素晴らしく、言うことなしの完璧さだ。
His performance is wonderful, with nothing to complain about in its perfection.このホテルのサービスは本当に言うことなしですね。
The service at this hotel is truly beyond reproach. More examples
いうところの言うところの
iutokoro no
N4
1.something that is commonly referred to as.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼は、言うところの専門家です。
He is what is called an expert.この料理は、言うところの名物です。
This dish is known as a specialty. More examples
いうにことをかいて言うに事を欠いて
iu ni koto o kaite
N4
1.lacking in proper words to say.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼女の服装を批判する言うに事を欠いて。
Criticizing her outfit was not a nice thing to say.友達の失敗をからかう言うに事を欠いて。
Making fun of a friend's mistake was not a nice way of putting it. More examples
いうにことかけて言うに事欠いて
iunikoto kakete
N4
1.lacking in what to say.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼の容姿を言うに事欠いて、傷つけるような言葉は避けましょう。
Let's avoid using hurtful words when it comes to criticizing his appearance.話し方が荒すぎて、言うに事欠いて相手を怒らせてしまった。
His harsh way of speaking ended up angering the other person unnecessarily. More examples
いうにおよばず言うに及ばず
iu ni oyobazu
N4
1.言うに及ばず.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼の才能は言うに及ばず、彼は優れた作曲家です。
Needless to say, his talent is outstanding, and he is a great composer.彼女の美しさは言うに及ばず、彼女の優しさが魅力的です。
Needless to say, her beauty is captivating, but her kindness is what truly shines. More examples
いうだけあって言うだけあって
iudakeatte
N4
1.living up to what was said.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼は天才だ。言うだけあって、数学の問題を簡単に解いた。
He is a genius. Just as he was told, he easily solved the math problem.彼女の予想は当たった。言うだけあって、的中率が高い。
Her prediction was correct. Just as she said, her accuracy rate is high. More examples
いうて言うて
iute
N4
1.having said that or on that note.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
明日は雨が降ると言うて、傘を持って行こう。
Let's bring an umbrella tomorrow, as it's said to rain.彼は忙しいと言うて、会議に参加できないそうだ。
He said he's busy and can't attend the meeting. More examples
いうはやすくおこなうはむずかし言うは易く行うは難し
iu hayasuku okonau wa muzukashi
N4
1.actions speak louder than words.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
言うは易く行うは難し、計画を立てるだけでなく、実行することが重要です。
Saying is easy, doing is hard, it is important to not only make plans but also to execute them.言うは易く行うは難し、目標を達成するためには努力と忍耐が必要です。
Saying is easy, doing is hard, achieving goals requires effort and patience. More examples
いうだけむだ言うだけ無駄
iu dake muda
N4
1.speaking would be pointless.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼には聞いても言うだけ無駄だ。
It would be a waste of words to ask him.議論しても言うだけ無駄だと思う。
I think it would be a waste of words to argue. More examples
いうにやおよぶ言うにや及ぶ
iu ni ya o yobu
N4
1.goes without saying.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼の才能は、言うにや及ばず、誰もが認めるものだ。
His talent is needless to say, recognized by everyone.彼女の美しさは、言うにや及ばず、誰もがうっとりする。
Her beauty is needless to say, captivating to everyone. More examples
いうだけやぼ言うだけ野暮
iu dake yabo
N4
1.stating the obvious is uncouth.
Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
彼女の失敗を言うだけ野暮だから、助言は控えよう。
Let's refrain from giving advice because it's tactless to point out her mistakes.親の心配を言うだけ野暮だと思って、黙って聞いてあげよう。
Let's listen quietly without expressing concern for our parents, as it's best left unsaid. More examples
WORD OF THE DAY
はなび
花火
hanabi