言う(いう)Conjugation

JLPT N5 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to say

Full conjugation table

FormJapaneseReading
Dictionary form
The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns.
言ういう
masu (polite present)
Polite present/future affirmative.
言いますいいます
masen (polite negative)
Polite present negative.
言いませんいいません
mashita (polite past)
Polite past affirmative.
言いましたいいました
masen deshita (polite past neg.)
Polite past negative.
言いませんでしたいいませんでした
te-form
The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more.
言っていって
ta (plain past)
Plain past affirmative.
言ったいった
nai (plain negative)
Plain present negative.
言わないいわない
nakatta (plain past neg.)
Plain past negative.
言わなかったいわなかった
Potential
Ability or possibility — 'can do'.
言えるいえる
Passive
Passive voice — 'to be done to'.
言われるいわれる
Causative
Causative — 'to make/let someone do'.
言わせるいわせる
Volitional
Volitional — 'let's…' or intention.
言おういおう
Imperative
Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly.
言えいえ
Prohibitive
Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'.
言うないうな
Conditional (ba)
Hypothetical 'if' — leans written.
言えばいえば
Conditional (tara)
The most versatile everyday 'if / when'.
言ったらいったら

Example sentences

See the word page for "言う" (meaning, pitch, audio) →

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