godan verb (-u), transitive verb
General verb for expressing something verbally. Covers stating, telling, and declaring. Often used with quoted speech or と.
彼は「はい」と言った。
He said 'yes'.
先生は明日テストがあると言
The teacher said there will be a test tomorrow.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
Used to indicate what someone or something is named or called. Common pattern: 〜を...と言う.
この花を桜と言います。
This flower is called sakura.
彼のことを天才と言う人もいる。
Some people call him a genius.
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
make a sound; go (onomatopoeia)
Only when written 言う
Describes a sound being produced, often with onomatopoeic expressions. Restricted to the 言う kanji form. Intransitive use.
目覚まし時計がジリジリと言った。
The alarm clock went 'ring ring'.
風で窓がガタガタ言っている。
The window is rattling in the wind.