言った
itta
The English word "said" can be translated into Japanese as 言った (itta).
The primary meaning of 言った is mentioned earlier (adj).
Meaning: mentioned earlier (adj)
Which one should you use?
For example, って言った is a colloquial and abbreviated form of expressing "said", whereas と言いました is a polite and respectful way to say "said" in Japanese.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form (non-past) of 言った is 言う, which means "say / will say". The polite form of 言った is 言いました.
How do you pronounce it?
itta
Did you know?
- Depending on the social hierarchy, you might use おっしゃった instead of 言った to say that a superior or a customer 'said' something.
- When quoting oneself in a humble context, you would not use 言いました but rather the humble form 申しました to show that you are lowering your own status.
- While English uses 'said' to report speech, Japanese can use the verb 言う to express a person's general tendency or character, such as 'he says things like that' to mean 'that is his nature'.
Examples in context
- 彼は９時だと言った。He said that it was nine o'clock.This sentence is useful for showing how to report a specific time someone mentioned using 言った.Tatoeba #115004 by bunbuku, translation #288667 by CK
- トムはやあと言った。Tom said hi.This sentence is useful for showing how to report a greeting someone mentioned using 言った.Tatoeba #7462017 by Ninja, translation #7410485 by CK
- 誰がはいと言ったの？Who said yes?This sentence is useful for asking who mentioned a specific response using 言った.Tatoeba #9846187 by Ninja, translation #8915452 by CK
- 彼は、「日本の文化は素晴らしいです」と言いました。He said, "Japanese culture is wonderful."
- 彼の先生は、「これからも頑張ってください」とおっしゃいました。His teacher said, "Please continue to do your best in the future."
- 彼女は、「明日遊びに行く」と言った。She said, "I'm going out to play tomorrow."
- 486 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is discussing their plans for the weekend.
- 大翔 Hirotoさっき言ったレストランに行かない？Sakki itta resutoran ni ikanai?Shall we go to the restaurant I mentioned earlier?
- 結衣 Yuiあ、さっき言ったあのお店のこと？A, sakki itta ano omise no koto?Oh, you mean that shop you mentioned earlier?
- 大翔 Hirotoそう、結衣なら好きだと思う。Sou, Yui nara suki da to omou.Yes, I think you would like it, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ、大翔の言った通りにする。Ii yo, Hiroto no itta toori ni suru.Okay, I'll go along with what you said, Hiroto.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
