say · word

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings of 言 are げん and ごん, and its kun readings are いう and こと. It has 7 strokes and relates to speech, words, or saying something.
• Basic usage: 言う is read いう, and 言葉 is read ことば.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 言う and 言葉
  • 言う means to say.
  • 分からないことは正直に分からないと言った。 means “I honestly said that I did not know what I did not know.”
  • 言葉 means word or language.
  • 分からない言葉をノートに書いておいた。 means “I wrote unfamiliar words in my notebook.”