言う
いう
to say
Iu (言う) is a godan verb meaning "to say". Its polite form is 言います (iimasu), its te form is 言って (itte), its past form is 言った (itta), and its negative form is 言わない (iwanai).
Godan verbJLPT N5
Iu (言う) conjugation quick reference
言う means "to say". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Iu example sentences
母が「おはよう」と言う。
My mom says "Good morning."
先生はなにも言わなかった。
The teacher didn’t say anything.
友だちにありがとうと言った。
I said thank you to my friend.
How to use Iu: grammar notes
•When saying what someone said, use と after the quote: 彼は「こんにちは」と言いました (He said "hello").
•Be careful not to use を after the quote—use と instead; saying 「こんにちは」を言いました is incorrect.
•To say who said something, use が or は before 言いました: 先生が言いました (The teacher said).
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Iu
そう言えば（そういえば）
Speaking of which / Now that you mention it
何と言うか（なんというか）
How should I put it... / It's hard to say...
言ってもいい？（いってもいい？）
Can I say it? / Is it okay if I say this?
Iu (言う) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 言う | iu |
| Masu Form | 言います | iimasu |
| Te Form | 言って | itte |
| Past Form | 言った | itta |
| Negative Form | 言わない | iwanai |
| Past Negative | 言わなかった | iwanakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 言います | iimasu |
| Polite Past | 言いました | iimashita |
| Polite Negative | 言いません | iimasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 言いませんでした | iimasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 言える | ieru |
| Passive Form | 言われる | iwareru |
| Causative Form | 言わせる | iwaseru |
| Causative Passive | 言わされる | iwasareru |
| Volitional Form | 言おう | iou |
| Imperative Form | 言え | ie |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 言えば | ieba |
| Conditional (たら) | 言ったら | ittara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 言っている | itteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 言いたい | iitai |
| Prohibition | 言うな | iuna |