ichidan verb
start saying; begin to speak
General use for beginning to say something. Often followed by a quotation or clause.
彼は突然、言い始めた。「実は、会社を辞めたいんだ。」
He suddenly started saying, "Actually, I want to quit the company."
子どもが「
The child started saying "Mama, Mama."
ichidan verb
say something previously unspoken; bring up a hidden thought
Used when someone voices a thought or feeling they had kept inside. Often implies hesitation or a sudden decision to speak.
彼女は思い切って、ずっと胸に秘めていたことを言い始めた。
She finally started to say what she had kept in her heart for so long.
ichidan verb
court someone; make advances
Rare, somewhat old-fashioned use for initiating romantic pursuit. Modern Japanese more often uses 口説く or アプローチする.
昔の小説では、男性が女性に言い始める場面がよく描かれる。
In old novels, scenes of a man courting a woman are often depicted.