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# say

verb (say, says, said, saying); noun (a say); interjection (say — informal)

«say» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To say is to speak words: «Say hello.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m1)
2. To say is to tell a fact or opinion: «The sign says stop». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m2)
3. Say can mean «for example» or «let's imagine»: «Take a number, say 7». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m3)
4. Your say is your chance to give your opinion: «Everyone gets a say». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m4)
5. (casual) «I say», «say what?» and «you don't say» show surprise; «you don't say» is often sarcastic: I knew that already. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m5)
6. (casual) «Says who?» challenges someone: who decided that? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m6)
7. (rough) «Say that again and you're dead» is a threat in a row; it is usually anger, not a real plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m7)
8. (formal) «State», «assert», «declare», «indicate» and «it is stated that» are stiff words for say. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#m8)

### In the lessons

In maths: a word of the story; brings what someone tells, sometimes a number; «let's say» sets up an example. In English lessons: reported speech («she says that…»). In everyday life: «say please and thank you», «what does the clock say?», «have your say». In stories: «they say the house is haunted»; «easier said than done». In casual talk: «says who?», «I'm just saying». In the exam voice: «it is stated that», «the notice indicates». Phrases: «say sorry», «that is to say», «needless to say», «to say the least».

### Examples

- Mia says she has 20 stickers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x1)
- Let's say each box holds 6 eggs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x2)
- What number does Tom say next? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x3)
- Say how many are left. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x4)
- Say please when you ask for something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x5)
- What does the clock say? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x6)
- The sign says «Keep off the grass». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x7)
- Everyone in the class gets a say. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x8)
- my brother says the Sun goes round the Earth, right? (casual, wrong claim) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x9)
- «It's 12.» «Says who? I counted 13.» (casual) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x10)
- Say that again and I'll thump you. (rough) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x11)
- It is stated that a pupil possesses 20 stickers; determine the number remaining upon the disposal of 7. (formal exam) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x12)
- "With all my heart," says I. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/#x13)

### Note

No operation; the numbers in what is said are the data. «Let's say» sets up an example. Forms: say, says (said «sez»), said («sed»). «Say» vs «tell»: you say something, you tell someone something. Trap: what someone says may be wrong — «my brother says 3 × 4 is 7» must be checked, not believed. Trap: if a speaker corrects herself («she has 5 — no, 6»), the last number counts. What people say online is not always true. Formal «it is stated that» = it says.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "say" often introduces God's words to Moses to be passed on to Israel. The people's "Amen" is their agreement.

**Interpretation.** Saying "Amen" is taken as accepting and confirming what was said, as with the curses and blessings announced on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.

### Examples

- And all the people shall say: Amen. (Torah DEU.27.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x1)
- And all the people shall say: Amen.' (Torah DEU.27.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x2)
- Go say to them: Return ye to your tents. (Torah DEU.5.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x3)
- And thou sayest: 'What doth God know? (Writings JOB.22.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x4)
- And they say: 'How doth God know? (Writings PSA.73.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x5)
- But ye say: 'Wherein shall we return?' (Prophets MAL.3.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/#x6)

### Note

No operation; the numbers in what is said are the data. «Let's say» sets up an example. Forms: say, says (said «sez»), said («sed»). «Say» vs «tell»: you say something, you tell someone something. Trap: what someone says may be wrong — «my brother says 3 × 4 is 7» must be checked, not believed. Trap: if a speaker corrects herself («she has 5 — no, 6»), the last number counts. What people say online is not always true. Formal «it is stated that» = it says.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «say» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/say/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«say» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/say.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «say» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/say/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«say» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/say.html) on Mova free.