What is say? Pronunciation and usage in English

say means . Learn how to pronounce and use say through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of say

sayverb

/seɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of say

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "say" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you are in the English-speaking world!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sound: /seɪ/ (like the "sea" sound)
  • Breakdown:
    • "S": Pronounced as a quick, very brief "s" sound. It's almost like you're going to say "say" but you stop yourself mid-sound. It’s a very subtle "s".
    • "ay": This is the same sound you'd use in words like "say," "play," "may," and "day." It's a diphthong - a sound that starts as one vowel and smoothly transitions to another.

2. The British Pronunciation (Received Pronunciation - RP):

  • Sound: /zæi/ (like the "zay" sound)
  • Breakdown:
    • "z": The "s" is pronounced as a "z" sound, just like in "zoo".
    • "ai": This is a longer, more drawn-out "ay" sound, much like in "eye" or "pie".

Here's a quick way to remember:

  • American: Think "sea."
  • British: Think "zay."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "say" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear both pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/say/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce 'say' in English" and you'll find plenty of videos demonstrating the different pronunciations.

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located or what English dialect are you most interested in learning? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word say in English

Let's break down how to use the word "say" in English. It's a very versatile word with multiple functions! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb - To Express Words (Most Common Use)

  • To state something: This is the most common usage.

    • "He said he was tired." (He expressed that he was tired.)
    • "She said her name was Sarah." (She stated her name.)
    • "The report says the economy will grow." (The report stated that…)

  • To speak aloud:

    • "I said, 'Hello!'" (I spoke the word “Hello” aloud.)
    • "The speaker said a powerful message." (The speaker uttered a powerful message.)

2. As an Introductory Verb (Often Followed by "That")

This is a very important and common structure. It introduces a statement or quotation.

  • "Say that..." followed by that + a clause (a group of words with a subject and verb).
    • "She said that she would be late." (This introduces her statement.)
    • "The doctor said that you need to rest." (This introduces the doctor’s advice.)
    • "He said that he loves ice cream."

3. As an Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb - Used with Past Participles)

This is less frequently used but important to understand. It’s used to form the passive voice and reported speech.

  • Passive Voice: Transforms an active sentence into a sentence where the subject receives the action.

    • Active: "The teacher said the homework was finished."
    • Passive: "The homework was said to be finished by the teacher." (It's more natural to say "The homework was said to be finished" - "said" here is almost just a filler word.)

  • Reported Speech (Indirect Speech): When you report what someone said, you often change the verb tenses and pronouns.

    • Direct Speech: "I say, 'I’m going to the store.'"
    • Reported Speech: "He said that he was going to the store." (Notice the changes: “I say” becomes “He said,” “I'm” becomes “he was.”)

4. Figurative and Informal Uses

  • "Say" as a filler word: People often use "say" casually to add emphasis or to signal they are about to speak. (It's often considered a weak filler word, so try to use it sparingly.)

    • "He ... he said he was sorry."

  • "Say" as a synonym for "tell": (Often more formal)

    • “Can you say me the truth?” (Can you tell me the truth?)

Here's a table summarizing the key uses:

Use Example Explanation
Statement "She said hello." Expressing words; stating a fact.
Speaking Aloud "He said 'Good morning.'" Speaking the words directly.
Introductory Verb "He said that..." Introducing a statement or quotation.
Auxiliary (Passive) "The letter was said..." Forming passive voice sentences.
Reported Speech "He said he would..." Reporting what someone said (tense changes)
Filler Word "He ... he said..." Casual usage, often redundant.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when it comes to using "say"? (e.g., “I’m not sure when to use ‘say that’,” or "I don't understand how it works in reported speech")

Synonyms for the word say

Idioms of the word say

be easier said than done
(saying)to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
  • ‘Why don't you get yourself a job?’ ‘That's easier said than done.’
before you can say Jack Robinson
(old-fashioned)very quickly; in a very short time
    enough said
    used to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say any more
    • ‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’
    go without saying
    to be very obvious or easy to predict
    • Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying.
    have something, nothing, etc. to say for yourself
    to be ready, unwilling, etc. to talk or give your views on something
    • She doesn't have much to say for herself (= doesn't take part in conversation).
    • He had plenty to say for himself (= he had a lot of opinions and was willing to talk).
    • Late again—what have you got to say for yourself (= what is your excuse)?
    have something to say (to somebody) about something
    to be angry
    • He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it.
    having said that | that said
    (informal)used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
    • I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it's a challenge.
    I dare say
    used when you are saying that something is likely
    • I dare say you know about it already.
    if you don’t mind me/my saying so…
    used when you are going to criticize somebody or say something that might upset them
    • That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so.
    I hear what you're saying
    used to tell somebody that you have listened to their opinion, especially when you are going to express a different opinion
    • I hear what you're saying, but you're wrong.
    I’ll say!
    (old-fashioned, informal)used for emphasis to say ‘yes’
    • ‘Does she see him often?’ ‘I'll say! Nearly every day.’
    I’m glad to say (that…)
    (informal)used when you are commenting on a situation and saying that you are happy about it
    • Most teachers, I'm glad to say, take their jobs very seriously.
    I’m sorry to say
    used for saying that something is disappointing
    • He didn't accept the job, I'm sorry to say.
    I must say
    (informal)used to emphasize an opinion
    • Well, I must say, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week.
    I say
    used to express surprise, shock, etc.
    • I say! What a huge cake!
    used to attract somebody’s attention or introduce a new subject of conversation
    • I say, can you lend me five pounds?
    it says a lot, very little, etc. for somebody/something
    (informal)it shows a good/bad quality that somebody/something has
    • It says a lot for her that she never lost her temper.
    • It didn't say much for their efficiency that the order arrived a week late.
    I wouldn’t say no (to something)
    (informal)used to say that you would like something or to accept something that is offered
    • I wouldn't say no to a pizza.
    • ‘Tea, Brian?’ ‘I wouldn't say no.’
    least said soonest mended
    (British English, saying)a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
      the less/least said the better
      the best thing to do is say as little as possible about something
        let's just say
        used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
        • Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it).
        let us say
        used when making a suggestion or giving an example
        • I can let you have it for, well let's say £100.
        mean to say
        used to emphasize what you are saying or to ask somebody if they really mean what they say
        • I mean to say, you should have known how he would react!
        • Do you mean to say you've lost it?
        needless to say
        used to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious
        • The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.
        never say die
        (saying)do not stop hoping
          no sooner said than done
          used to say that something was, or will be, done immediately
            not have a good word to say for somebody/something
            (informal)to never say anything good about somebody/something
            • Nobody had a good word to say about him.
            not say boo to a goose
            to be very shy or gentle
            • He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose.
            not to say
            used to introduce a stronger way of describing something
            • a difficult, not to say impossible, task
            say cheese
            used to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph
              say a mouthful
              (North American English, informal)to say something important
              • You said a mouthful there, buddy.
              say no (to something)
              to refuse an offer, a suggestion, etc.
              • If you don't invest in this, you're saying no to a potential fortune.
              say no more
              (informal)used to say that you understand exactly what somebody means or is trying to say, so it is unnecessary to say anything more
              • ‘They went to Paris together.’ ‘Say no more!’
              say your piece
              to say exactly what you feel or think
                say what?
                (North American English, informal)used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
                • ‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’
                say when
                used to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough
                  say/give the word
                  to give an order; to make a request
                  • Just say the word, and I'll go.
                  suffice (it) to say (that)…
                  used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean
                  • I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster.
                  that is to say
                  in other words
                  • three days from now, that is to say on Friday
                  that said | having said that
                  used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
                    that’s not saying much
                    used to say that something is not very unusual or special
                    • She's a better player than me, but that's not saying much (= because I am a very bad player).
                    there’s no saying
                    used to say that it is impossible to predict what might happen
                    • There's no saying how he'll react.
                    there’s something, not much, etc. to be said for something/doing something
                    there are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with something
                      to say the least
                      without making something seem better, worse, more serious, etc. than it really is
                      • I was surprised, to say the least.
                      to say nothing of something
                      used to introduce a further fact or thing in addition to those already mentioned
                      • It was too expensive, to say nothing of the time it wasted.
                      well said!
                      (informal)I agree completely
                      • ‘We must stand up for ourselves.’ ‘Well said, John.’
                      what do/would you say (to something/doing something)
                      (informal)would you like something/to do something?
                      • What would you say to eating out tonight?
                      • Let's go away for a weekend. What do you say?
                      whatever you say
                      (informal)used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue
                        what/whatever somebody says, goes
                        (informal, often humorous)a particular person must be obeyed
                        • Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and what she says, goes.
                        when all is said and done
                        when everything is considered
                        • I know you're upset, but when all's said and done it isn't exactly a disaster.
                        who can say (…)?
                        used to say that nobody knows the answer to a question
                        • Who can say what will happen next year?
                        who says (…)?
                        (informal)used to disagree with a statement or an opinion
                        • Who says I can't do it?
                        who’s to say (…)?
                        used to say that something might happen or might have happened in a particular way, because nobody really knows
                        • Who's to say we would not have succeeded if we'd had more time?
                        you can say that again
                        (informal)I agree with you completely
                        • ‘He's in a bad mood today.’ ‘You can say that again!’
                        you can’t say fairer (than that)
                        (British English, informal)used to say that you think the offer you are making is reasonable or generous
                        • Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that.
                        you don’t say!
                        (informal, often ironic)used to express surprise
                        • ‘They left without us.’ ‘You don't say!’ (= I'm not surprised)
                        you said it!
                        (British English)used to agree with somebody when they say something about themselves that you would not have been rude enough to say yourself
                        • ‘I know I'm not the world's greatest cook.’ ‘You said it!’
                        (North American English)used to agree with somebody’s suggestion

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