Meaning

Primary

To Say Humbly

Alternative

To Say

Word Type

transitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means say humbly, and this is just the verb form, to say humbly. You can also call this to say, just remember that it's humble!

This is a very humble way to say "to say" so it's used in especially formal situations, and only to talk about yourself or your associates. Because of its formality, it's almost always in the ます form, which is 申します.

Reading

もうす
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this kanji is the kun'yomi reading, but that's the reading you learned with the kanji. High Fives.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 山田と申します

    to be called Yamada

    マイケルと申します

    to be called Michael

Context Sentences

トーフグのコウイチと申します。

I am Koichi of Tofugu.

名字は、田中。下の名は、キョーコと申します。

My surname is Tanaka. My first name is Kyoko.

王女があの宝石のイヤリングを気に入ってるのは申すまでもありません。

It goes without saying that the princess likes those jeweled earrings.

Kanji Composition