Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Say" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "say", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
言います
いいます (iimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
もうす
もうす (mousu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "say" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 言います and もうす.
In Japanese, 言います (いいます (iimasu)) is typically associated with "to say, to tell" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of 言う.
On the other hand, もうす (もうす (mousu)) maps to "to say, to be called (humble form of 言う)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Humble form of 言う. A literal translation of "say" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "言います"
先生にありがとうと言います。
I say thank you to the teacher.
Bilingual Context for "もうす"
田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka (humble).
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "先生にありがとうと ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I say thank you to the teacher.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "言います" fits here because it means "to say, to tell" in the context of: "I say thank you to the teacher.". "もうす" represents "to say, to be called (humble form of 言う)".