Japanese Grammar Bank

HOW TO USE INDIRECT SPEECH IN JAPANESE

Indirect speech in Japanese is useful because it allows for more flexibility in expression.

With indirect speech, the speaker can convey the essence of another person’s statement without using their exact words.

To construct sentences using indirect speech, you need to learn how to use two particles と and って.

USING と FOR INDIRECT SPEECH

と is a quotative particle, it follows the verb or adjective they are quoting.

PATTERN

Verb / な adjective / い adjective + と~

父は私に明日は早く家に帰ってくるようにと言いました。Chichi wa watashi ni asu wa hayaku ie ni kaette kuru youni to ii mashita.My father told me to come home early tomorrow.
お医者さんから健康のためにもっと運動するようにと言われました。Oisha san kara kenko no tame ni motto undo suru youni to iware mashita.My doctor told me to do more exercise to keep good health.
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ベトナム料理はとても美味しいと聞きました。Betonamu ryouri wa totemo oishii to kiki mashita.I have heard that Vietnamese food is very tasty.
マイクさんはアメリカに帰ったと聞きました。Maiku san wa amerika ni kaetta to kiki mashita.I have heard that Mike went back to the United States.
来週試験があるからしっかり勉強するようにと先生は言いました。Raishuu shiken ga aru kara shikari benkyou suru youni to sensei wa ii mashita.Our teacher told us to study well since we have exams conducted in next week.
友だちからこの映画はとてもおもしろいと聞きました。Tomodachi kara kono eiga wa totemo omoshiroi to kiki mashita.I have heard from friend that this movie is a really enjoyable one.
となりの市にはとてもきれいな川があると聞きました。Tonari no shi niwa totemo kirei na kawa ga aru to kiki mashita.I have heard that there is a beautiful river in the next city.

NOTE || と can also be used to tell the name of someone or something, after which more information is provided.

It is similar to “named ~” or “called ~” in English.

PATTERN

Noun + と~ + いう

ユニバーサルスタジオというテーマパークを知っていますか？Yunibaasaru sutajio to iu teema paaku wo shitte imasuka?Do you know the theme park called Universal Studio?
エジソンという科学者を知っていますか？Ejison to iu kagakusha wo shitte imasuka?Do you know a scientist named Edison?
僕はハチという名前の犬を飼っています。Boku wa Hachi to iu namae no inu wo katte imasu.I have a dog named Hachi.

USING って FOR INDIRECT SPEECH

If you carefully listen to Japanese conversation, you will often hear って to express indirect speech.

Actually, と and って work in a similar way.

They are exchangeable, only the difference is the level of formality.

と is obviously more formal and って is used in a casual conversation.

山田さんからこのお菓子はおいしいって聞きました。Yamada san kara kono okashi wa oishii tte kiki mashita.I have heard from Mr. Yamada that this snack is very good.
お母さんが助けてほしいって言っているよ。Okaasan ga tasukete hoshii tte itte iruyo.Your mother is saying that she needs your help.
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新しく来た先生はとても厳しいってみんな言っています。Atarashiku kita sensei wa totemo kibishii tte minna itte imasu.Everyone is saying that the new teacher is very strict person.
隣人が先週退職したって聞きました。Rinjin ga senshuu taishoku shita tte kiki mashita.I have heard that my neighbor retired from his work last week.
中村さんはマンガをたくさん持っているって聞きました。Nakamura san wa manga wo takusan motte iru tte kiki mashita.I have heard that Mr. Nakamura has a lot of manga.
娘は将来看護師になりたいって言っています。Musume wa shourai kangoshi ni naritai tte itte imasu.My daughter is saying that she wants to be a nurse in the future.
友達は大学を卒業したら世界一周旅行に行きたいって言っています。Tomodachi wa daigaku wo sotugyou shitara sekai isshuu ryokou ni ikitai tte itte imasu.My friend is saying that he wants to go for a round-the-world trip after graduating from university.

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FAQs

What is the difference between と and って in indirect speech?

In Japanese, と is the standard way to mark indirect speech, often seen in formal contexts or writing. In contrast, って is a more casual or conversational way of indicating the same.

While they are interchangeable in meaning, って sounds more informal.

Can と and って be used interchangeably in all situations?

Generally, yes, but it’s important to consider the context. と is more appropriate in written or formal situations, while って is better suited to informal spoken Japanese.

Using って in a formal setting may sound too casual or unpolished.

How can I tell if a sentence is direct or indirect speech when using と and って?

The structure and context often indicate indirect speech. Indirect speech with と or って typically involves a verb like 言う (to say) or 思う (to think).

If there’s no quotation or exact replication of someone’s words, it’s likely indirect.

Is there a way to emphasize or add emotion in indirect speech using と or って?

Yes! In spoken Japanese, intonation and context add emotional emphasis to sentences with って.

Additionally, adding phrases like そうだ (I heard) after と or って can indicate hearsay or uncertain information, lending an extra layer of expression to indirect speech.

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