Meaning & usage
という combines the quotative particle と with the verb 言う and reports what someone said or gives a name, corresponding to say, tell, or be called. It follows a plain form clause with だ kept after a noun or na-adjective, and it also follows imperatives, prohibitions, and te-form requests such as 行くな or やらないで. A name itself can precede と言います in self-introductions. In conversation と言う often appears as って言う or って言った, while と言われる expresses hearsay as it is said.
Example sentences 5
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ダメだって言ったでしょ。
I said no.
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だれかから電話があったら１時にもどると言って下さい。
If anyone should phone, say I'll be back at one o'clock.
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私たちは日本人が働き者だといわれるのをよく耳にする。
We often hear it said that the Japanese are good workers.
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ある人はこうだと言い、またある人はああだと言う。
One man says this, another that.
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いらないって言ったでしょ。
I told you I don't need it!
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 44 past exam questions.
And 36 more tests.
