How to Say ‘They say’ in Japanese
と言います。
to ii masu
[toh ee-ee mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: [と言います] means 'say' or 'it is said.' In context, it can sound like 'people say' or 'you could say.'
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is handy when sharing common impressions, such as '[アサヒ] is crisp' or '[サッポロ] has a calmer image,' without sounding too absolute.
Phrase Breakdown
と
to
[toh]
quotation particle
Marks the content of what is said. It often comes before 言います.
これは辛口と言います。
This is called dry.
言います
ii masu
say; call
Means 'to say' or 'to refer to something as.'
日本語で何と言いますか。
What do you call it in Japanese?
Words in this phrase
言い
ii
[ee-ee]
say; call
Used to say what something is called or to quote what someone says.
その感じを落ち着いた感じと言います。
That feeling is called a calm feeling.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite ending
Makes the verb polite, suitable for normal conversation.
私はそれをおもしろいと言います。
I say that it is interesting.
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