JLPT N4 grammar

〜ように言うmeaning and usage

Meaning

Tell someone to do A

This point is also listed at N3.

How to form it

  • verb (dictionary form)ように言う
  • verb (nai-form)ように言う

How it is used

Reports an instruction or request indirectly: “told (someone) to”. The person told takes 「に」. The same works with 「頼む」 and 「注意する」. Quoting directly would be 「「〜てください」と言う」.

Examples

  1. 医者は彼に酒の量を減らすように言った。

    His doctor told him to cut down on drinking.

  2. 先生は学生に、教室で静かにするように言いました。

    The teacher told the students to be quiet in the classroom.

  3. 母に、あまり遅く帰らないように言われた。

    My mother told me not to come home too late.