Japanese grammar · no level in the source

〜ものをいうmeaning and usage

Meaning

B is what counts/what is important/what matters (in/at A). B is often words like おかね, けいけん, どりょく

How to form it

  • nounがものを言う
  • nounではnounがものを言う

How it is used

Says that B (experience, effort, money and so on) is what really counts in a situation: 'B is what matters'. Often in the frame 「〜では〜がものを言う」.

Examples

  1. 料理は、最後は経験がものを言う。

    In cooking, it's experience that counts in the end.

  2. マラソンでは、毎日の練習がものを言う。

    In a marathon, daily training is what counts.