〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると
ni iwasereba / ni iwaseru to
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
if you ask …; in …'s opinion
〜に言わせれば means "if you let X speak, X would say…", i.e. "in X's opinion". It introduces a view that is frank, strongly held, or different from the general view: 私に言わせれば、どちらの案も問題がある (if you ask me, both proposals have problems). The causative 言わせる means "let say".
Both speech and writing. With 私 it asserts the speaker's opinion confidently; with a third party it reports a strong view, often followed by そうだ or という. The view usually contains a judgement.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N + に言わせれば、…N + に言わせると、…私に言わせれば (if you ask me) / 専門家に言わせると (according to experts)
Visual diagram
- 彼the person whose view it is
- に言わせればif you let him say it
- この計画は無謀だそうだhis frank opinion
Natural examples
彼に言わせれば、この計画は無謀だそうだ。
かれにいわせれば、このけいかくはむぼうだそうだ。
According to him, this plan is reckless.
A third party's frank view, reported with そうだ.
専門家に言わせると、この程度の地震は珍しくないという。
せんもんかにいわせると、このていどのじしんはめずらしくないという。
If you ask experts, an earthquake of this scale is not unusual.
Experts' view with という.
私に言わせれば、どちらの案も問題がある。
わたしにいわせれば、どちらのあんももんだいがある。
If you ask me, both proposals have problems.
The speaker's own confident opinion.
母に言わせれば、私の部屋はいつも汚いらしい。
ははにいわせれば、わたしのへやはいつもきたないらしい。
If you ask my mother, my room is always messy.
Reporting someone's critical view.
若い世代に言わせると、この規則は時代遅れだということだ。
わかいせだいにいわせると、このきそくはじだいおくれだということだ。
According to the younger generation, this rule is out of date.
A group's view.
Similar grammar and the difference
Neutral "according to (a source)": reports information, not a frank opinion. Compare side by side
"For X (from X's position)": a standpoint, not a stated opinion. Compare side by side
"Judging from X": a basis for inference, or X's viewpoint; less about a spoken opinion. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼に言えば、この計画は無謀だ。
- ✓
- 彼に言わせれば、この計画は無謀だ。
- Why
- The causative 言わせる is essential.
- ✗
- 天気予報に言わせれば、明日は雨だ。
- ✓
- 天気予報によれば、明日は雨だ。
- Why
- Information sources take によれば; に言わせれば needs a person with an opinion.
- ✗
- 私に言わせれば、そうかもしれない。
- ✓
- 私に言わせれば、それは間違いだ。
- Why
- The opinion should be a clear judgement, not a hedge.
私に言わせれば is a confident, slightly assertive opener. A third party's view is usually followed by そうだ・らしい・という. The opinion often disagrees with the majority or with the listener.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- A person + blank + a strong opinion (often with そうだ) → に言わせれば / に言わせると.
- Distractors: によると, にとって, にしたら. Choose に言わせれば when a frank judgement is introduced.
- Watch the causative form: 言わせれば, not 言えば.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると mean?
if you ask …; in …'s opinion. 〜に言わせれば means "if you let X speak, X would say…", i.e. "in X's opinion". It introduces a view that is frank, strongly held, or different from the general view: 私に言わせれば、どちらの案も問題がある (if you ask me, both proposals have problems). The causative 言わせる means "let say".
How do you form 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると?
N + に言わせれば、… / N + に言わせると、… / 私に言わせれば (if you ask me) / 専門家に言わせると (according to experts). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると used?
Both speech and writing. With 私 it asserts the speaker's opinion confidently; with a third party it reports a strong view, often followed by そうだ or という. The view usually contains a judgement.
What is the difference between 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると and 〜によると / 〜によれば?
Neutral "according to (a source)": reports information, not a frank opinion.
What is the difference between 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると and 〜にとって(は)?
"For X (from X's position)": a standpoint, not a stated opinion.
What is a common mistake with 〜に言わせれば / 〜に言わせると?
Wrong: 彼に言えば、この計画は無謀だ。 Right: 彼に言わせれば、この計画は無謀だ。 The causative 言わせる is essential.
Quick check
祖父（ ）、最近の若者は礼儀を知らないそうだ。