言

JLPT N4

Say, word, speech, to talk

Readings

On’yomi: ゲン, ゴン (gen, gon)
Kun’yomi: いう, こと (iu, koto)
い-う – to say, speak こと – matter, thing (abstract concept, sometimes synonymous with β€œwords”)

Vocabulary

言う
いう
to say
言葉
ことば
word
εΏ ε‘Šγ™γ‚‹
けゅうこくする
advise
言θͺž
げんご
language
伝言
でんごん
message

Example Sentences

ε½Όγ―γ€Œγ“γ‚“γ«γ‘γ―γ€γ¨θ¨€γ„γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
γ‹γ‚Œ γ―γ€Œγ“γ‚“γ«γ‘γ―γ€γ¨ γ„γ„γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
He said hello.
ζ–°γ—γ„θ¨€θ‘‰γ‚’θ¦šγˆγΎγ™γ€‚
γ‚γŸγ‚‰γ—γ„ ことば γ‚’ γŠγΌγˆγΎγ™γ€‚
I learn new words.
ε‹ι”γ«εΏ ε‘Šγ—γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
ともだけ に けゅうこく γ—γΎγ—γŸγ€‚
I advised my friend.
ζ—₯本θͺžγ―難しい言θͺžγ§γ™γ€‚
にほんご は γ‚€γšγ‹γ—γ„ げんご です。
Japanese is a difficult language.
ε…ˆη”Ÿγ‹γ‚‰δΌθ¨€γŒγ‚γ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
せんせい から でんごん が γ‚γ‚ŠγΎγ™γ€‚
There is a message from the teacher.

Cultural Note

πŸ—£οΈ 言 (speech, words) is deeply significant in Japanese society:
1. Politeness & Communication:
o Words and how they are spoken (敬θͺž / keigo) are central to Japanese culture.
o Choice of words reflects respect, hierarchy, and social harmony.
2. Idioms & Expressions:
o θ¨€γ†γ―ζ˜“γθ‘Œγ†γ―ι›£γ—οΌˆγ„γ† は やすく γŠγ“γͺう は γ‹γŸγ—οΌ‰ – β€œEasier said than done”
o θ¨€θ‘‰γ«ζ°—γ‚’γ€γ‘γ‚‹οΌˆγ“γ¨γ° に きを ぀ける) – β€œWatch your words”
3. Language & Literature:
o 言 appears in many kanji related to writing and communication, showing its importance in poetry, calligraphy, and literature.