Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1
〜と言っていました~to itte imashita
report what someone said
Use 「〜と言っていました」 to pass on something someone said earlier, often in the plain form.
How it works

First she listens to the staff member, then tells her friend. Use 「~と言っていました」 to report what you heard.

The “staff member” in the sentence is the original speaker. The woman in orange is passing his words on to her friend.

When reporting a statement, usually use the plain form for its content: 「変わります」 becomes 「変わる+と」.

「言っていました」 means the person said it earlier. The meeting time may change only later.

The Yamada example quotes a request directly, so keep 「来てください」 and add 「と」 after it.
Example sentences
- 公民館kouminkanのnoスタッフsutaffuは、wa、今日kyouはwa雨ameでdeもmoイベントibentoをo
In a conversation

Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
The staff member said that the event would be held soon.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
公民館のスタッフは、今日は雨でもイベントを行う____。
The community center staff said the event would be held even if it rained today.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜と言っていましたreport what someone said