言いいつける

ichidan verb, transitive verb

tell to do; order; instruct

Used when someone in authority tells another person to do something. Often implies a command or instruction from a superior.

• 母ははは私わたしに買かい物ものを言いいつけた。

  My mother told me to go shopping.

• 上じょう司しが部ぶ下かに資し料りょうの整せい理りを言いいつける。

  The boss instructs his subordinate to organize the documents.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

tell on; report; snitch

Inform on someone's misbehavior to a person in authority. Often used in contexts like children telling a teacher or parent.

• 弟おとうとは私わたしのいたずらを母ははに言いいつけた。

  My little brother told on me to our mother for my prank.

• 彼かれは同どう僚りょうの遅ち刻こくを上じょう司しに言いいつけた。

  He reported his colleague's lateness to the boss.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

often say; be used to saying

Indicates a habitual or repeated action of saying something. Often used in the form 言いつけている.

• 祖そ母ぼは「若わかいうちに勉べん強きょうしなさい」と言いいつけている。

  My grandmother often says, 'Study while you're young.'

• 彼かれは口くち癖ぐせのように「時じ間かんがない」と言いいつける。

  He habitually says, 'I don't have time,' like a catchphrase.