Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "言います", "言う", "もうす", "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
言う
いう (iu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
もうす
もうす (mousu)
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", "言う", "もうす", "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.
- 言う (いう (iu) - Level: N5): Maps to "to say, to tell" and is used when Used to report what someone says, to express one's own thoughts, or to tell something. Polite form is 言います.
- 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.
- 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 "言う"
先生が「おはよう」と言いました。
The teacher said, "Good morning."
Context for "もうす"
田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka (humble).
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.".