How to Say ‘To say a word (to someone)’ in Japanese
一言言う
hitokoto yuu
[hitokoto EE-oo]
💬 Usage Tip: 一言 is read (hitokoto), not (ichigen), and literally means "one word". 一言言う means letting someone know briefly, like a heads-up.
Phrase Breakdown
一言
hitokoto
[hitokoto]
one word
A single unit of language.
その一言で場が和やかになった。
That one word made the atmosphere peaceful.
言う
yuu
[EE-oo]
to say
Basic verb for saying or telling.
先生にお礼を言う。
I say thanks to the teacher.
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