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言うに言われぬ (いうにいわれぬ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Related words 言い い 表あらわ せない More common and neutral way to say 'inexpressible'; 言うに言われぬ is a fixed literary phrase with a stronger emotional nuance.
筆ひつ 舌ぜつ に 尽つ くしがたい Also means 'beyond description', but is even more formal and often used in written language or speeches.
Etymology A fixed expression combining the verb 言う (to say) with the archaic negative potential form 言われぬ (cannot be said), literally 'cannot be said even if one tries to say it'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used in classical and literary Japanese.
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め
に
は
言い
う
に
言い
わ
れ
ぬ
悲かな
しみ
が
浮う
かん
で
い
た
。
An unspeakable sadness showed in her eyes.
