Usage patterns 言げん を 慎つつし む to be careful with one's words
He tries to be careful with his words in public.
言げん を 尽つ くす to explain fully; to speak at length
He explained the situation fully, sparing no words.
言げん を 弄ろう する to use clever or deceptive words
He tried to dodge responsibility by playing with words.
〈 人ひと 〉 の 言げん に 従したが う to follow someone's word/advice
He changed the plan in accordance with his boss's word.
言げん を 発はっ する to utter a word or statement
He made an important statement at the meeting.
Related words 言葉 is the everyday, general word for 'word' or 'language', while 言 is a formal, literary term mainly found in written or compound contexts.
発言 specifically means an utterance or statement made in a public or formal setting, whereas 言 is the broader, more abstract term for a word or remark.
Word family· 172 statement; remark; utterance
language
declaration; proclamation; announcement
testimony; verbal evidence
reference; mention; allusion
Show 25 more Show fewer words and actions; speech and conduct
prediction; prophecy; foretelling · religious prophecy
advice; counsel; suggestion
assertion; declaration; affirmation
dialect; regional language
proposal; recommendation; motion
abusive language; violent language; wild words
public declaration; open profession
speech; expression of views; public discussion
wise saying; famous quote; witty remark
prophecy; to prophesy
declare; state clearly
candid advice; frank advice; honest opinion
joke; jest
advice (to a superior); counsel; proposal; suggestion; recommendation
saying; maxim; aphorism; proverb
remark; statement; discourse
verbal gaffe; slip of the tongue; improper remark
kyogen; comic interlude in Noh · kabuki play; kabuki performance · sham; ruse; put-on
talkativeness; verbosity; garrulity
falsehood; lie
reckless remark; thoughtless words; falsehood
previous remarks; earlier statement
verbal commitment; pledge; promise
declaration; statement; assertion
See all 172 in Explore →
Etymology The kanji 言 is a pictograph of a mouth with a tongue, representing speech. The reading げん is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading), while こと is a rare kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) used in classical Japanese.
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