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How to Say ‘Say; it is said’ in Japanese

言います

ii masu

[ee-ee mahs]

💬 Usage Tip: [言います] is the polite form of 'say.' It can mean 'I say,' 'you say,' or 'people say,' depending on context.

🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, using [言います] can make opinions sound gentler, which fits the polite style of discussing preferences like favorite beer brands.

Phrase Breakdown

言い

ii

[ee-ee]

say; call

The stem of 言います, used for saying or calling something a certain way.

Example

それをやさしい味と言います。

That is called a gentle taste.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A polite present/future ending attached to verbs in everyday formal speech.

Example

私はサッポロも飲みますと言います。

I say, 'I also drink Sapporo.'

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