Many learners tell me this is confusing — and they’re right.
‘say‘ and ‘tell‘ both mean 言う, but they follow different patterns.
Once you see the pattern, the choice becomes much easier.

The core idea

say

Use say when you focus on the words themselves.
(言った“内容”にフォーカス)

• say + words
  • He said it was fine.
    (「大丈夫」と言った)
  • She said hello.
    (こんにちはと言った)

No listener is required.

tell

Use tell when you focus on who you speak to.
(相手＝listener が必要)

• tell + person + information
  • She told me the truth.
    (私に本当のことを言った)
  • He told his parents about the plan.
    (両親に計画を話した)

A listener is always included.

Quick rules

• Say = content (内容)
• Tell = person + content (相手 + 内容)
• If there is no listener, use say.
• If you mention someone, use tell.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

❌He said me the answer.

There is a listener → use tell.

✔️He told me the answer.

(私に答えを言った)

❌She told that she was busy.

There is no listener → use say.

✔️She said that she was busy.

(忙しいと言った)

Practice

Try these. Answers are below.

1. He ___ he was tired.
(内容だけ→ ?)

2. She ___ me she will be late.
(相手あり→ ?)

3. They ___ goodbye and left.
(内容だけ→ ?)

4. Please ___ him the rules.
(相手あり→ ?)

Answers

1. said
2. told
3. said
4. tell

Final tip

If you can remember only one thing, remember this:

Say the words. Tell a person.
(“say = 内容”, “tell = 相手 + 内容”)

まとめ（日本語）

● “say” = 内容を言う（listener 不要）
例：He said it was OK.（大丈夫と言った）

● “tell” = 相手に内容を伝える（listener 必要）
例：She told me the news.（私にニュースを伝えた）

●迷ったらこのルール：
「say = 内容」 / 「tell = 相手 + 内容」

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