Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "言う", "もうす", "申す", "言い放つ"
All represent the core concept "say", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
言う
いう (iu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
もうす
もうす (mousu)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
申す
もうす (mōsu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
言い放つ
いいはなつ (iihanatsu)
C1 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "say" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "言う", "もうす", "申す", "言い放つ" based on context.
- 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.
- 言い放つ (いいはなつ (iihanatsu) - Level: C1): Maps to "to say bluntly" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
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.)
Context for "言い放つ"
毎日、日本語を練習するために言い放つ。
Every day, I say bluntly to practice Japanese.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "先生が「おはよう」と言いました。" (Meaning: "The teacher said, "Good morning."")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "言う" is correct here because it represents "to say, to tell" in the context: "The teacher said, "Good morning."".