Japanese verbs have conjugations.「言う (いう、iu)」is a verb and means “say” or “will say.” It can also be translated as “tell” depending on the sentence. ”Tell” is often translated as「伝える」or「話す」in Japanese. Therefore, we used “say” in the subheadings of “English Meaning” in this page.
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When you do not know how to use the conjugation, please learn about it in our conversation lessons or our mail support. In our mail support, we check your Japanese every time. If you have an internet connection and a PC/smartphone, you can learn Japanese with us all over the world.
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Vocabulary Video
Before you learn the conjugations, please learn about the pronunciation of the verb in dictionary and polite forms.
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Dictionary Form/ます Form
As you know, English tenses are roughly divided into present, future, and past tenses. However, it is said that Japanese tenses consist only of “Past Tense” and “Non-Past Tense.” Therefore, we used “Dictionary Form,” not “Present Tense” in this heading.
Japanese people use two types of language. One is “non-honorific language” and the other is “honorific language.” When we focus on these languages, “dictionary” and “plain” forms are in “non-honorific language.” “Polite form” is in honorific language.
English Meaning: say, will say
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Dictionary & Plain Form | 言う | iu |
| ます & Polite Form | 言います | īmasu |
「辞書形 (dictionary form)」is the original form. The technical term is for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.「ます形 (ます form)」is the polite form of a dictionary form. The term is also for non-native Japanese speakers.
I’ll tell my mother that I’m going to hang out.
母に遊びに行くことを言う。 (Plain Form)
母に遊びに行くことを言います。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not say, will not say
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言わない | iwanai |
| Polite Form | 言いません | īmasen |
I won’t tell my mother that I’m going to hang out.
母に遊びに行くことを言わない。(Plain Form)
母に遊びに行くことを言いません。(Polite Form)
Past Tense
English Meaning: said
The plain form is in “た form”. “た form” is also a technical term for non-native Japanese speakers. Therefore, native Japanese usually do not know the word.
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| た & Plain Form | 言った | itta |
| Polite Form | 言いました | īmashita |
I said to my mother “I’ll go to cram school.”
母に「塾に行く」と言った。(Plain Form)
母に「塾に行く」と言いました。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: did not say
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言わなかった | iwanakatta |
| Polite Form | 言いませんでした | īmasen deshita |
I didn’t say to my mother “I’ll go to cram school.”
母に「塾に行く」と言わなかった。(Plain Form)
母に「塾に行く」と言いませんでした。(Polite Form)
て Form
English Meaning: N/A
We cannot know the exact meaning without knowing the sentence and situation.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| て Form | 言って | itte |
About the phrases「ている」and「ています」: Here
About the phrase「～てください。」: Here
I told a lie to Anne-san and we got into a fight.
杏さんに嘘を言って、喧嘩になりました。(Polite Form)
In this case,「て」indicates “and” or “after.”
Volitional Form 1: Will, (Own) Intention, Determination
English Meaning: will say
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 言おう | iō |
| Polite Form | N/A | N/A |
This phrase is used only in plain form. This is because we use it when we talk to ourselves or think in our minds. When we talk or think to ourselves, we usually do not use the polite form.
I’ll tell my boyfriend about that.
彼氏にあのことを言おう。(Plain Form)
Volitional Form 2: Solicitation, Intention, Invitation
English Meaning: let’s say
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading | |
| Plain Form | 言おう | iō |
| Polite Form | 言いましょう | īmashō |
Let’s tell the truth to our section manager!
部長に本当の事を言おう。(Plain Form)
部長に本当の事を言いましょう。(Polite Form)
Imperative Form
English Meaning: say! (order, command)
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言え | ie |
Say goodbye to your girlfriend within this week!
今週中に彼女に別れを言え。(Plain Form)
By the way, translating it as “Say goodbye to your girlfriend this week!.” is not the exact English translation. If you do not know the reason, please learn about it in our private lessons or mail support.
“Imperative form” is used only in plain form and this phrase often becomes rude depending on the situation. Please show us your Japanese when you use it. We will check and teach suitable Japanese.
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Prohibition and Order
English Meaning: do not say!
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言うな | iuna |
Don’t lie!
嘘を言うな。(Plain Form)
Conditional Form
English Meaning: if (subject) say
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 言えば | ieba |
If you tell our teacher that you have a fever, you can take a break in the nurse’s office.
先生に熱があることを言えば、保健室で休めるでしょう。(Polite Form)
Hypothetical/Definite Conditions, Sequence of Actions
English Meanings: if/when ~ say, ~ said and ~
The form「～たら」has different usages. It has other meanings except from those listed above. More explanations are in our conversation lessons or mail support.
| Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| 言ったら | ittara |
Here is an example sentence wherein「たら」indicates a “sequence of actions.”
When I told my parents that I wanted to go to a university in American, they objected.
親にアメリカの大学に行きたいことを言ったら、反対されました。(Polite Form)
Causative Form
English Meaning: make/let/have (person) say
| Positive | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言わせる | iwaseru |
| Polite Form | 言わせます | iwasemasu |
I’ll make my son tell the truth.
息子に本当のことを言わせる。(Plain Form)
息子に本当のことを言わせます。(Polite Form)
English Meaning: do not make/let/have (person) say
| Negative | Conjugation | Romaji Reading |
| Plain Form | 言わせない | iwasenai |
| Polite Form | 言わせません | iwasemasen |
I won’t make my son tell lies.
息子に嘘を言わせない。 (Plain Form)
息子に嘘を言わせません。(Polite Form)
Potential Verb
「可能動詞 (potential verb/s)」is a verb classification that indicates “be able to” or “can do something.”「言える(いえる、ieru)」is one of the potential verbs.「言う」and「言える」are different verbs in Japanese. The details of the potential verb「言える」is here:
To Learn Correct Verb Conjugations
Japanese verb conjugation is too complicated and there are many learners who use it incorrectly. Therefore, we provide lessons and services where we teach and correct your Japanese daily. If you want to know more about the details, please check out our website.
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