How to say "tell" in Japanese

• 示すしめすJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'tell' in the sense of showing or demonstrating something, such as indicating evidence or displaying a sign. Often the underlying meaning is 'to show' rather than verbal telling.
• 語るかたるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUsed for telling in the sense of talking about or narrating something at length, such as recounting a story or experience. It suggests extended, expressive speech rather than a brief statement.
• 申し上げるもうしあげるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA humble way to say 'tell' or 'say', used when the speaker is being modest toward the listener, as in formal announcements or business contexts. It is kenjougo, so it lowers the speaker's own actions.
  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 counterpart for 'tell' or 'say', used when the person doing the telling deserves honor, such as a teacher or superior. As sonkeigo, it elevates that person's action and is usually written in kana.
  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.
• 告げるつげるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers telling in the sense of informing or announcing something, often conveying news or a notice to someone. It has a somewhat formal, declarative feel suited to delivering information.

For 'tell' as showing or demonstrating use 「示す」; for narrating use 「語る」; for polite telling use humble 「申し上げる」 or respectful 「おっしゃる」; for informing or announcing use 「告げる」.

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

• 示すしめすto (take out and) show
• 語るかたるto talk about
• 申し上げるもうしあげるto say
• おっしゃるto say
• 告げるつげるto tell
• 言い聞かせるいいきかせるto tell
• 物語るものがたるto tell (a story)
• 言いつけるいいつけるto tell (to do)
• 聞かすきかすto let (someone) hear
• 伝えるつたえるto convey
• 言い渡すいいわたすto announce
• 語らうかたらうto talk
• 述べるのべるto state
• 取り次ぐとりつぐto pass on (a message, thoughts, etc.)
• テルtell (Middle-Eastern archaeological mound)
• チクるto tell (on someone)
• 言い聞かすいいきかすto tell
• 申し渡すもうしわたすto tell
• 申し聞かせるもうしきかせるto tell
• 申し述べるもうしのべるto say
• 仰せ付けるおおせつけるto command
• 聞かせるきかせるto let (someone) hear
• くっちゃべるto talk
• うかがい知るうかがいしるto infer
• 口を割るくちをわるto confess
• 判別がつくはんべつがつくto distinguish
• 口を開くくちをひらくto open one's mouth (to talk)
• つくto tell (a lie)
• 話すはなすto tell
• 教えるおしえるto tell
• 吐くはくto give (an opinion)
• 読むよむto decipher