Structure
Phrase + と + (も) + 言える + だろう
Phrase + と + (も) + いえ よう
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Standard
使用域
一般
About と言える
と言える is a common expression that utilizes the potential form of the verb 言う 'to say', to highlight that it is possible for something to be said. This phrase is often used to express a general idea about something that the speaker believes to be correct. と言える translates as 'it is fair to say (A)', or 'one could say (A)'.
As the case marking particle と is being used in its 引用 (citation) use, と言える may follow any direct phrase/statement.
As the case marking particle と is being used in its 引用 (citation) use, と言える may follow any direct phrase/statement.
- この儀式は日本の文化の一つと言える。It is fair to say that this ceremony is part of Japan's culture.
- あのビルは日本一高いビルだと言える。One could say that the building over there is the tallest building in Japan.
- このプランは成功したと言えるだろう。We could say that this plan was a success, right?
- タナカ選手は国民的アスリートだと言えるでしょう。Can it not be said that Tanaka is an athlete loved by everyone in the country?
Caution
When the potential form of 言う is linked with the auxiliary verb よう, it creates a much stronger phrase that is similar to 'let it be said that (A)'.- 人が話しているときに、携帯を見るのは失礼だといえよう。Let it be said that looking at your phone while someone is talking to you is rude. (Anyone would say this, so don't make me say it to you)
Fun Fact
The speaker is usually relatively confident about their statement when using と言える, but the usage of a form that expresses conjecture shows that they are open to the possibility of being wrong, thus softening the tone.Synonyms
Examples
前会計年度に比べて、今年度は成功だと言えるでしょう。
Compared to the previous fiscal year, it is fair to say that this year is a success.
彼らは同時にゴールインしたと言えるだろう。
One could say that they got to the finish line at the same time.
船は飛行機ほど速くないが、それでも船旅を好む人は多いと言えるだろう。
Boats are not as fast as planes are, but it is still fair to say that a lot of people enjoy trips by boat.
発明家は、「変人」という評価を一般の人から下されてきたと言えるだろう。
You can probably say that the inventors were labeled as 'eccentrics' by the common folk.
20世紀にはコンピュータによって生活しやすくなってきたと言えるだろう。
It is fair to say that life is getting easier due to (the advent of) computers in the 20th century.
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と言える – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
nekoyama
I tried with cram and it accepted both for me. Is it possible you’re typoing it in review too and not just in this post (you wrote 言えば but it should be 言える)?
Schuylerca
didn’t think I was doing that but maybe…the behavior was a little strange…but I have since restarted the computer so we shall see how it goes today
Daru
The difference is politeness level!
If it’s a polite sentence, switching to だろう is ungrammatical. On a casual sentence, でしょう is not terribly wrong but it feels off.
You don’t say: 先生、東京タワーをご覧になりましたか。すごいだろう? since its a bit jarring. Hope this helps!
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