よく言う · godan verb (-u)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | よく言う | よく言わない |
| Polite | よく言います | よく言いません |
| Past polite | よく言いました | よく言いませんでした |
| Past | よく言った | よく言わなかった |
| Te-form | よく言って | よく言わないで |
| Desire | よく言いたい | よく言いたくない |
| Potential | よく言える | よく言えない |
| Passive | よく言われる | よく言われない |
| Causative | よく言わせる | よく言わせない |
| Causative passive | よく言わせられるalso よく言わされる | よく言わせられないalso よく言わされない |
| Volitional | よく言おう | |
| Polite volitional | よく言いましょう | |
| Imperative | よく言え | よく言うな |
| Conditional | よく言えば | よく言わなければ |
| Tara conditional | よく言ったら | よく言わなかったら |
say enough; say plenty
Used when someone says as much as needed, often in contexts where the speaker has said their piece or given sufficient warning.
He said his piece and then quickly left.
注意はよく言ったから、あとは本人次第だ。
I've warned him enough; the rest is up to him.
say well; say cleverly; say elegantly
Describes speaking in a skillful, eloquent, or flattering manner; often used when someone phrases something nicely.
彼女はいつも人のことをよく言う。
She always speaks well of others.
あの政治家はよく言うけど、実際は何もしていない。
That politician talks a good game, but actually does nothing.
say often; say frequently
Indicates that something is said repeatedly or habitually; often used in the pattern よく言うことだが or よく言われる.
彼は「忙しい」とよく言う。
He often says he's busy.
祖母がよく言っていた言葉を思い出す。
I remember the words my grandmother used to say often.
say without shame; say impudently
Used as an admonition, often in the form よく言うよ, to express disbelief or criticism when someone says something shameless or hypocritical.
自分は悪くないなんて、よく言うよ。
How can you say you're not at fault? (You've got some nerve.)
あんなに遅刻しておいて「時間を守れ」だって？よく言うよ。
After being late so often, he tells others to be punctual? What a nerve.