Japanese grammar
What does ～ように言う mean? Japanese grammar N3
～ように言う means tell (someone) to ~ (reporting an instruction).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる + ように + 言う／頼む／注意する／伝える Vない + ように + 言う |
| Romaji | youniiu |
| Meaning | tell (someone) to ~ (reporting an instruction) |
Forming it
| Active | 勉強する → 勉強するように言った |
|---|---|
| Passive | 待つ → 待つように言われた |
How to use it
Reports someone else's order or instruction without quoting it verbatim. Neutral and polite.
- 「～ように言う」 = to tell someone to…: 「先生は私にもっと勉強するように言った」. The original command is converted to the dictionary form.
- Very commonly seen in the passive form 「～ように言われた」 when recounting that one was told to do something.
- Different from 「～てくれと言う」 (N3-102): that pattern quotes the request verbatim and sounds blunt; 「ように言う」 paraphrases the meaning, so it is polite and can be used in writing.
Examples
先生は私に、もっと勉強するように言った。
The teacher told me to study more.
受付で、少し待つように言われました。
At the reception I was told to wait a moment.
Keep in mind
- The person receiving the instruction takes 「に」.
- The command is converted to the dictionary form, not kept as 「しろ」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong「早く帰れ」ように言われた。
I was told to go home early.
Correct早く帰るように言われた。
Indirect speech must convert the command to the dictionary form.
-
Wrong先生は私を勉強するように言った。
The teacher told me to study.
Correct先生は私に勉強するように言った。
The recipient of the instruction is marked with 「に」.
Exam tips
- 「ように言う」 = to tell someone to… (indirect); the form 「ように言われた」 is common.