たくさん言う

You pair the adverb takusan with the verb iu. In casual settings, you use iu. In polite settings, you change it to iimasu. You can use it to describe yourself or someone else. It’s a very flexible, foundational building block for your Japanese.

Use this when your boss gives you ten instructions at once. Use it when you’re telling a friend about a chatty neighbor. It’s perfect for describing a toddler who just learned new words. You might even use it when you're apologizing for talking too much. It fits well in texts, casual chats, and daily observations.

Avoid using this in very formal speeches or ceremonies. In those cases, words like hanasu (to speak) or noberu (to state) are better. Don't use it if you mean 'to have a long discussion.' Takusan iu sounds a bit more like a one-way street of words. If the conversation was a two-way exchange, use takusan hanasu instead.

In Japan, there is a cultural proverb: 'Silence is gold.' Because of this, saying takusan iu can sometimes carry a tiny hint of 'nagging.' However, it’s not inherently negative. It’s all about your tone of voice and the context. If you say it with a smile, it’s just a neutral observation.

You will often hear the past tense takusan itta. This means 'said a lot.' Another common one is the negative takusan iwanai. This means 'don't say much.' If you want to be extra polite, use takusan iwaremashita. This means 'I was told a lot' (often by a superior).