申す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 申す is read as もうす and is the humble form of 言う, lowering the speaker or the speaker's side when saying something.
• Basic usage: Introducing oneself as Yamada appears in 山田と申します, while respectfully reporting what one's father said appears in 父は申しておりました.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Name or quotation with と
  • Place the quotation marker before と申す when stating what one is called or quoting what was said.
• Difference from 言う
  • Unlike the neutral verb for saying, this form humbles the speaker's side and thereby shows respect to the listener or other party.