言: the kanji for say and word
言 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means say, word. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
言 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
言 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ゲン (gen)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 言語げんご · gengo | language |
| 発言はつげん · hatsugen | remark; statement |
| 方言ほうげん · hōgen | dialect |
| 宣言せんげん · sengen | declaration |
| 助言じょげん · jogen | advice |
| 証言しょうげん · shōgen | testimony |
ゴン (gon)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 伝言でんごん · dengon | message |
| 無言むごん · mugon | silence |
| 遺言ゆいごん · yuigon | will (legal) |
いう (iu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 言ういう · iu | to say |
| 言い方いいかた · iikata | way of saying |
| 言い訳いいわけ · iiwake | excuse |
こと (koto)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 言葉ことば · kotoba | word; language |
| 一言ひとこと · hitokoto | a word; a few words |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 田中さんに伝言をお願いできますか。Tanaka-san ni dengon o onegai dekimasu ka.Could you take a message for Mr. Tanaka?
- もう少しゆっくり言ってください。Mō sukoshi yukkuri itte kudasai.Please say it a little more slowly.
- 最後に一言お願いします。Saigo ni hitokoto onegai shimasu.Please say a few words to close.
- この言葉の意味を教えてください。Kono kotoba no imi o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me what this word means.
- 先輩から助言をもらいました。Senpai kara jogen o moraimashita.I got advice from a senior colleague.
- もっと丁寧な言い方はありますか。Motto teinei na iikata wa arimasu ka.Is there a more polite way to say it?
Questions about 言
How many strokes does 言 have?
言 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 言?
The on readings are gen (ゲン), gon (ゴン). The kun readings are iu (いう), koto (こと).
How do you ask what something is called in Japanese?
Point and ask これは日本語で何と言いますか (kore wa Nihongo de nan to iimasu ka), "What is this called in Japanese?"
What JLPT level is 言?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 言
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.