say, word
言 centers on the act of expressing something through language: saying something or a unit of speech, a word.
to say; to utter; to declare
called; named; that says; that
language; dialect
such; like that; that sort of
such; this sort of; like this
what kind of; what sort of; what
statement; remark; observation; utterance; speech; proposal
language
declaration; proclamation; announcement
single word; a few words; brief comment
way of saying (something); way of putting it; wording; phrasing; language; expression
testimony; (verbal) evidence
excuse
reference; allusion
word; remark; statement
like that; this type
speech and conduct; words and actions; words and deeds; behavior; behaviour; manners
prediction; prophecy; prognostication; foretelling; forecast
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
assertion; declaration; affirmation
dialect; provincialism
will; testament; one's dying wish; one's last words
silence (not speaking); muteness
proposal; motion; recommendation
言 is a pictograph of a mouth with sound or breath emerging from it, representing speech or words.
The top strokes suggest sound waves rising from a mouth, and the lower boxed shape is the mouth itself. Together, 言 is the act of saying words.
For ゲン, imagine a genie emerging from the mouth-like shape of 言, granting wishes with its words: genie -> ゲン.