Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "言います", "もうす", "おっしゃる", "申す"
All represent the core concept "say", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
言います
いいます (iimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
もうす
もうす (mousu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
おっしゃる
おっしゃる (ossharu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
申す
もうす (mōsu)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "say" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "言います", "もうす", "おっしゃる", "申す" based on context.
- 言います (いいます (iimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to say, to tell" and is used when Polite form of 言う.
- もうす (もうす (mousu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to say, to be called (humble form of 言う)" and is used when Humble form of 言う.
- おっしゃる (おっしゃる (ossharu) - Level: N4): Maps to "to say (honorific form of 言う)" and is used when Honorific form of 言う.
- 申す (もうす (mōsu) - Level: N3): Maps to "to say, to be called (humble)" and is used when Humble form of 言う.
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.
Context for "もうす"
田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka (humble).
Context for "おっしゃる"
先生がおっしゃった通り、この問題はとても大切です。
As the teacher said, this problem is very important.
Context for "申す"
私は田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka. (Lit. I am called Tanaka.)
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to say, to tell" in the context: "I say thank you to the teacher.".