言|げんgen[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounword; remark; statement
   彼かれの言げんに従したがって行動こうどうするのは利口りこうではない。↗

   It is not wise to go by his word.

• Synonym言辞げんじWrittenWritten; wording, choice of words, as in 「言辞を弄する」. 「言（げん）」 appears mostly in compounds like 「一言」 and 「名言」.
• Synonym言の葉ことのはWrittenWritten; words or waka poetry, with a classical literary flavour; rare in modern use.
• Synonym辞じWrittenWritten; words or diction, found mostly in compounds such as 「祝辞」 and 「辞書」.
• Related言葉ことばNeutralLanguage, words; the everyday default with the widest range.
• Related話はなしNeutralTalk, conversation, topic; focuses on what is being discussed.
• Related申し立てもうしたてWrittenWritten; a formal statement of one's claim, legal in flavour, as in 「異議申し立て」.
• Related発言はつげんNeutralA remark or statement of opinion, at meetings, in interviews or online; focuses on voicing a view.
• Related詞しNeutral「詞」 is another spelling of 「言葉」, read 「ことば」 with the same meaning; in everyday writing 「言葉」 is the norm.
• Related言詞げんしWrittenWritten; verbal expression, fairly rare.
• Antonym不言ふげんWrittenAntonym, written: not speaking, as in 「不言実行」; set against 「言」.
• AntonymしじまWrittenAntonym, written: stillness and silence, with a literary flavour; set against speech.

「言」 is bookish and lives mainly in compounds such as 「一言」 and 「名言」, or in 「言を左右にする」. For everyday words use 「言葉」, for conversation 「話」, for a remark 「発言」; 「不言」 means keeping silent.

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

1. （ゲン　文語ぶんご的てき）言いうこと。言いったこと。