JLPT N4 grammar
と言う — Meaning & Examples
"Says that ~". [plain form] + と言う. Used to report someone's words. Past tense: と言った. Always plain form before と.
と言う — "Says That"
と言う (toiu) lets you report what someone said.
Pattern: [statement in plain form] + と言う/と言います
わたしは「学生だ」と言いました。(watashi wa "gakusei da" to iimashita.)
= I said "I'm a student."
Direct vs indirect:
Direct: 「あした雨だ」と言いました。("ashita ame da" to iimashita.) (used quotation marks)
Indirect: あした雨だと言いました。(ashita ame da to iimashita.) (no quotes)
Important: use PLAIN form before と
× 雨ですと言いました。(ame desu to iimashita.) (sounds odd)
○ 雨だと言いました。(ame da to iimashita.) (correct: short form before と)
Past tense:
と言った / と言いました = said
と言う / と言います = says (present/general)
Examples:
タナカさんは「忙しい」と言いました。(Tanaka-san wa "isogashii" to iimashita.) = Tanaka said "I'm busy."
わたしはこれが一番いいと言います。(watashi wa kore ga ichiban ii to iimasu.) = I say this one is the best.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on と言う. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Form before と言う should be?
- ます form
- て form
- Plain (short) form
- たい form
Show answer
Answer: Plain (short) form
Use PLAIN form before と. 雨だと言いました (correct), not 雨ですと言いました.
2. Casual って replaces?
- を or が
- ので or から
- です or ます
- と言う or と
Show answer
Answer: と言う or と
って is casual for と言う or と. 雨だって = (someone said) it's raining.
Practise と言う in the free app
This point is part of the “Reporting What People Say and Think” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Reporting What People Say and Think
Frequently asked questions
What does と言う mean?
"Says that ~". [plain form] + と言う. Used to report someone's words. Past tense: と言った. Always plain form before と.
Is と言う on the JLPT N4 test?
と言う is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Reporting What People Say and Think”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise と言う?
Open the “Reporting What People Say and Think” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.