物言う · godan verb (-u)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 物言う | 物言わない |
| Polite | 物言います | 物言いません |
| Past polite | 物言いました | 物言いませんでした |
| Past | 物言った | 物言わなかった |
| Te-form | 物言って | 物言わないで |
| Desire | 物言いたい | 物言いたくない |
| Potential | 物言える | 物言えない |
| Passive | 物言われる | 物言われない |
| Causative | 物言わせる | 物言わせない |
| Causative passive | 物言わせられるalso 物言わされる | 物言わせられないalso 物言わされない |
| Volitional | 物言おう | |
| Polite volitional | 物言いましょう | |
| Imperative | 物言え | 物言うな |
| Conditional | 物言えば | 物言わなければ |
| Tara conditional | 物言ったら | 物言わなかったら |
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
Often used in set phrases like 物言う目 (expressive eyes) or 物言う態度 (an attitude that speaks volumes), where something non-verbal conveys meaning. Can also mean simply 'to talk' in a slightly literary or emphatic way.
His eyes shone as if they were speaking.
Silence can sometimes carry meaning.