Translation guide
How to express 'said' in Japanese, covering direct speech, reported speech, and common verbs for saying.
彼は来ると言った。
He said he would come.
彼女は大丈夫だと言った。
She said it was okay.
To quote someone's exact words, often in storytelling or conversation.
The most common way to quote direct speech. と is the quotative particle, and 言った is the past tense of 言う (to say).
彼は「行く」と言った。
He said, 'I'll go.'
She said, 'It's okay.'
Casual spoken form. って is a colloquial quotative particle, often used in conversation.
彼、来るって言ったよ。
He said he's coming.
Polite form of と言った. Use in formal situations or when speaking politely.
先生は「宿題を出してください」と言いました。
The teacher said, 'Please submit your homework.'
To report what someone said without quoting exactly, often using indirect speech.
Used to report what someone said earlier, implying you are conveying their message. The 〜ている form adds a nuance of 'was saying' or 'said (and it's relevant now)'.
彼は明日来ると言っていた。
He said he would come tomorrow.
母が電話してほしいと言っていたよ。
Mom said she wants you to call her.
Can also be used for indirect speech, but と言っていた is often more natural when relaying a message.
彼は忙しいと言った。
He said he was busy.
Casual quotative particle, often used without a verb in informal speech to mean 'said that'.
彼、来ないって。
He said he's not coming.
To attribute speech in novels, articles, or formal writing.
Formal/literary verb meaning 'stated' or 'remarked'. Common in news and essays.
首相は「改革が必要だ」と述べた。
The prime minister said, 'Reform is necessary.'
Literary, often used for telling a story or recounting. Slightly more narrative than 述べた.
彼は自身の経験を語った。
He spoke of his own experience.
To convey not just speech but the manner of speaking.
Shouted, yelled. Use when 'said' implies a loud voice.
彼は「助けて」と叫んだ。
He shouted, 'Help!'
Whispered. Use for soft, secretive speech.
彼女は「愛してる」と囁いた。
She whispered, 'I love you.'
Muttered, murmured. Often used for speaking to oneself or in a low voice.
彼は「もうだめだ」と呟いた。
He muttered, 'It's no use.'
To refer back to someone or something previously mentioned, often in legal or formal contexts.
Formal term meaning 'the said' or 'the relevant'. Used in legal, business, or official documents.
当該人物は現在行方不明です。
The said person is currently missing.
Prefix meaning 'the same' or 'the said'. Used in compounds like 同人 (the said person) or 同社 (the said company).
同社は新製品を発表した。
The said company announced a new product.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to omit the subject and the verb 'said' if it's clear from context. Instead of 'He said...', you might just state the quoted speech with a quotative particle and let the context imply who spoke.
「行く」って。
(He) said 'I'll go.'
と言った is a simple statement of fact: 'He said X.' と言っていた implies you are relaying a message and often carries the nuance that the statement is still relevant or that you heard it from the person. Use と言っていた when passing on what someone said.
彼は来ると言った。
He said he would come. (just stating the fact)
彼は来ると言っていた。
He said he would come. (and I'm telling you this now, maybe you need to know)