How to say "say" in Japanese

• 言ういうJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe neutral, all-purpose verb for 'say': quoting someone, reporting speech, or stating an opinion plainly. It carries no politeness marking, so it fits ordinary narration and conversation about anyone's words.
  「みんなひと休やすみしようぜ」とジョンは言いった。↗

  John said, "Hey guys, let's take a break."
• あのJLPT N5approx.Common
  interjectionNot the verb 'say' at all: this is the filler 'um', 'er', 'well', used while hesitating or getting someone's attention. The English 'say' matches only that interjection, so it is seldom the word you want.
  あの〜郵便局ゆうびんきょくはどちらでしょうか。↗

  Uh..., where's the post office?
• 申し上げるもうしあげるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe humble form for your own saying, telling, or stating something to a superior or customer: you lower yourself and raise the listener. Typical of formal situations such as business dealings, apologies, and requests.
  お礼れいの申し上もうしあげようもありません。↗

  I can never thank you enough.
• おっしゃるJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb (irregular), transitive verbThe respectful form for someone else's speech: what a boss, teacher, or customer says or said. Never use it for your own words; it raises the speaker you are describing.
  ここではどんどん意見いけんをおっしゃってかまいません。↗

  You can speak out freely here.
• 申すもうすJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbHumble language for your own saying or telling in deferential contexts. Its 'to be called' sense is the polite way to state your own name when introducing yourself.
  こちらはスミスと申もうします。ジョンソンさんはおいででしょうか。↗

  This is Mr Smith speaking. Is Mr Johnson in?

Use 「言う」 for plain 'say'; 「申し上げる」 and 「申す」 humble your own speech to a superior, 「おっしゃる」 respectfully reports a superior's speech, and 「あの」 is only a hesitation filler, never the verb.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 言ういうto say
• あのsay
• 申し上げるもうしあげるto say
• おっしゃるto say
• 申すもうすto say
• 述べるのべるto state
• 申し述べるもうしのべるto say
• ほざくto say
• のたまうto say
• 仰せられるおおせられるto say
• 口に掛けるくちにかけるto say (something)
• 声を出すこえをだすto speak
• 言葉をかけることばをかけるto speak words (of)
• 言葉を残すことばをのこすto leave words (behind one, e.g. after death)
• ねhey
• あたりfor instance
• 抜かすぬかすto say
• なhey
• こくto utter (a lie, nonsense, etc.)
• っつto say
• 物申すものもうすto speak
• 口にするくちにするto speak (of)
• 垂れるたれるto say