Japanese word

おっしゃる

Pronunciation

Romajiossharu

Meaning

  • verbsay

Example

何とおっしゃいましたか。nan to o ssha i ma shi ta ka

What did you say?

Illustration for おっしゃる (say)

More examples

もう一度おっしゃってください。mō ichi do o ssha tte ku da sa i

Please say that again.

Core concept

It presents another person's words as respected speech rather than as neutral speech.

Common phrases

  • おっしゃるとおりo ssha ru tō ri

    as you say

  • そうおっしゃるsō o ssha ru

    say so

  • もう一度おっしゃってmō ichi do o ssha tte

    say again

Similar words

言うiu: To express a thought, fact, or message in words.
話すhanasu: To speak with someone or talk about a subject using words.
申すmōsu: To say something humbly when referring to one's own speech.

Definition in Japanese

相手を敬って、その人が言うことを表す。ai te o uyama tte so no hito ga i u ko to o arawa su

Word origin

おっしゃる (ossharu) developed from 仰せある (ōse aru), which combines 仰せ (ōse, "respectful words") with ある (aru, "to be").

Usage tips

  • In customer service, おっしゃる (ossharu) commonly describes a customer's or guest's words, while staff members use a different verb for their own speech.

Other meanings

  • speakverb
  • tellverb

Word lists with this word