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
申し上げる
もうしあげる (moushiageru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "say" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 言います and 申し上げる.
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, 申し上げる (もうしあげる (moushiageru)) maps to "to say, to tell, to state (humble form of 言う)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 謙譲語（けんじょうご）。相手への敬意を示し、自分の行為をへりくだって言う時に使います。ビジネスシーンなどでよく使われます。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 "申し上げる"
先生に感謝の気持ちを申し上げました。
I expressed my gratitude to my teacher.
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.". "申し上げる" represents "to say, to tell, to state (humble form of 言う)".