述べる・宣べる・陳べる|のべるnoberu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
述べる述べる is the most common and standard mixed kanji-and-kana form; use it for “to state,” “to express,” “to say,” and “to tell.”
宣べる宣べる is a rarely used mixed kanji-and-kana variant of 述べる; learners will seldom encounter it and should use 述べる instead.
陳べる陳べる is a rarely used mixed kanji-and-kana variant of 述べる; learners will seldom encounter it and should use 述べる instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto state; to express; to say; to tell; to mention
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 述べる（のべる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 述べます（のべます） |
| Negative (nai) | 述べない（のべない） |
| polite (masen) | 述べません（のべません） |
| classical zu / nu | 述べず・述べぬ（のべず・のべぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 述べた（のべた） |
| polite (mashita) | 述べました（のべました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 述べなかった（のべなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 述べませんでした（のべませんでした） |
| Te form | 述べて（のべて） |
| Potential | 述べられる（のべられる） |
| Passive | 述べられる（のべられる） |
| Causative | 述べさせる（のべさせる） |
| Causative passive | 述べさせられる（のべさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 述べれば（のべれば） |
| tara | 述べたら（のべたら） |
| Volitional | 述べよう（のべよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 述べましょう（のべましょう） |
| Imperative | 述べろ（のべろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym言い表すいいあらわすNeutralMeans putting something accurately into words (「言葉で言い表せない」), with the focus on whether it can be expressed; 「述べる」 centers on stating the content.
- Synonym言ういうNeutralThe most basic everyday word for saying, with the broadest range; 「述べる」 is more formal, used mainly in speeches and writing.
- Synonym語るかたるNeutralMeans telling or narrating (「経験を語る」) with a storytelling flavor; 「述べる」 leans toward presenting opinions in an organized way.
- Synonym陳述ちんじゅつWrittenWritten-style term for formal statements in court or at meetings (「陳述書」), mostly legal; for ordinary statements use 「述べる」.
- Synonym話すはなすNeutralMeans talking or conversing and is common in daily speech; 「述べる」 suggests a one-sided, formal statement.
- Synonym発言はつげんNeutralA noun for remarks or statements made at meetings and public occasions (「発言権」); 「述べる」 is a verb.
- Synonym表明ひょうめいNeutralMeans publicly declaring one's stance or resolve (「辞意を表明する」); 「述べる」 can state anything and is not limited to declaring a position.
- Synonym記述きじゅつWrittenWritten prose for objectively recording things in text (「記述問題」), focused on written description; 「述べる」 covers both speech and writing.
- Synonym物語るものがたるNeutralMeans telling a complete story, and also that facts reveal something (「傷跡が物語る」); 「述べる」 lacks this second sense.
- Synonym吐露とろWrittenWritten prose for pouring out one's true feelings without reserve (「本音を吐露する」); 「述べる」 is not limited to inner feelings.
- Synonym申し立てるもうしたてるFormalA formal term for officially filing an appeal or objection (「異議を申し立てる」); 「述べる」 merely states something and carries no sense of protest.
- Synonym叙述じょじゅつWrittenWritten prose for narrating in sequence (「叙述的」), literary in flavor; 「述べる」 does not stress order.
- SynonymおっしゃるFormalThe honorific equivalent of 「言う」, for someone else's words (「先生がおっしゃる」); 「述べる」 carries no honorific sense.
- Synonym申すもうすFormalThe humble equivalent of 「言う」, for one's own words (「田中と申します」); 「述べる」 carries no honorific sense.
- Synonym申し上げるもうしあげるFormalA humble form of 「言う」, more deferential than 「申す」, for addressing someone respected (「お詫び申し上げます」); 「述べる」 carries no honorific sense.
- Synonym言い立てるいいたてるNeutralMeans listing things one by one or insisting on a claim, often enumerating faults or reasons; it adds a stronger sense of emphasis and insistence than 「述べる」.
- Synonym書き表すかきあらわすNeutralMeans expressing something in writing (「心情を書き表す」), with the focus on the written form; 「述べる」 works both in speech and in writing.
- Synonym申し述べるもうしのべるFormalA humble form for stating something to another party (「お礼を申し述べる」), very formal; 「述べる」 itself carries no honorific tone.
- Related演述えんじゅつWrittenA rare written term for expounding one's ideas or views in speech or writing; in everyday use say 「述べる」.
- Antonym黙るだまるNeutralAntonym: to keep silent and say nothing, the opposite of 「述べる」's speaking out.
Use 「述べる」 for formal statements in speeches or writing; in everyday talk use 「言う」 or 「話す」. For narrating experiences or stories use 「語る」; in court or legal settings use 「陳述」; to publicly declare a stance use 「表明」. Honorific for what someone else says: 「おっしゃる」; humble for your own words: 「申す」. The other words narrow the focus: putting into words (「言い表す」), writing (「書き表す」, 「記述」), listing or insisting (「言い立てる」), and so on.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
