言
SAY
Mnemonic
Picture a mouth (口) at the bottom with four sound waves rising out of it —
like words coming out and spreading through the air.
That’s why this character means SAY.
Example Vocabulary
-
一言（ひとこと） – a single word; brief remark
Click to recall: 一 = -
大言（たいげん） – boast, big talk
Click to recall: 大 = -
小言（こごと） – scolding, complaint
Click to recall: 小 = -
明言（めいげん） – clear statement, declaration
Click to recall: 明 = -
言い出す（いいだす） – to bring up, to start talking about
Click to recall: 出 =
Words in action
With 言, you’re stepping into the world of expression. From the weight of a big boast (大言) to the brevity of a single word (一言), this kanji shows how language can shift from light scolding (小言) to bold declarations (明言). And sometimes, it all begins when someone decides to say it out loud (言い出す).
Example Sentences
- せんせいに一言あいさつしました。– I greeted the teacher with a single word.
- かいぎのまえに、ぶちょうが明言しました。– Before the meeting, the manager made a clear statement.