λέγω (G3004) — Greek Lexicon

λέγω

légō

G3004 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak, to say, or to express verbally; principally denotes the act of articulating or communicating information, statements, or ideas, whether in direct discourse, reporting, or narration. Broader senses include expressing, declaring, making known, or recounting, with an emphasis often on the content, manner, or intent of what is expressed. Distinctions among Greek synonyms position λέγω as the general term for 'to say/tell' with a possible focus on orderly, intentional communication, as opposed to unstructured speech.

Semantic Range

to say, to speak, to tell, to declare, to recount, to express, to name, to order, to call, to report, to mean

Root / Etymology

From the root λέγ-, ancient Greek verb with original meanings related to 'to collect, pick,' and in extended usage 'to recount' or 'to speak.' The root underlies various words connected with speech, selection, and reckoning (cf. λόγος, 'word, account'). Cognate with Latin 'lego' in the sense of 'to gather, choose.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Earliest attested in Homeric Greek with the meaning 'to gather, collect,' both physically and in the sense of collecting thoughts or words; by the time of classical and Koine Greek, λέγω primarily means 'to speak' or 'to say.' In the Septuagint and New Testament, λέγω is the default and most general verb for direct and indirect speech. It can introduce quotations, describe utterances, or narrate reported speech. While translations often render it simply as 'say' or 'tell,' these glosses may not capture nuances of intent or structured discourse. In contrast to synonyms: ἔπω may denote a brief utterance; φημί indicates the function of stating or asserting; λαλέω can suggest ongoing, informal, or random speech. The Latin Vulgate and later English translations tend to collapse these distinctions. λέγω can also involve the act of naming or designating, and occasionally carries the sense of ordering or commanding in specific formulations. Its use is foundational to understanding Greek narrative and dialogic structure.

Translation Consistency

primary "say" 50 occurrences

λέγω primarily functions as the general verb ‘to say/to speak’ in Greek, covering direct speech, reported speech, declarations, and naming. ‘Say’ is the most natural, flexible, and common English equivalent (and matches the majority of current renderings), allowing straightforward inflection across all forms while preserving typical usage and readability. Alternatives like ‘speak’ or ‘tell’ are either less general or slightly more formal.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

Root Family

λεγ- (epilégomai) — to speak, to select, to call

Root λεγ- to speak, to say, to recount, to declare

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1951	ἐπιλέγομαι	being selected
G3881	παραλέγομαι	sailing along beside
G4302	προλέγω	we said beforehand
G4816	συλλέγω	is being gathered together
G483	ἀντιλέγω	to speak against

Word Forms

76 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3004-09`	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said	613
`G3004-44`	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	says	he/she says	he says	336
`G3004-51`	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say	210
`G3004-62`	λέγων	legon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	saying	saying	saying	181
`G3004-65`	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying	149
`G3004-14`	εἶπον	eipon	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	said	they said	they said	116
`G3004-34`	ἔλεγον	elegon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	were saying	they were saying	they were saying	78
`G3004-02`	εἶπαν	eipan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	said	they said	they said	71
`G3004-32`	ἔλεγεν	elegen	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he was saying	was saying	was saying	69
`G3004-74`	λέγουσιν	legousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	they say	they are saying	they are saying	59
`G3004-45`	λέγειν	legein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to say	to speak	to say	40
`G3004-07`	εἰπὲ	eipe	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	says	Speak!	Say!	39
`G3004-49`	λέγετε	legete	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	say	you are saying	you are saying	30
`G3004-46`	λέγεις	legeis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	say	you are saying	you are saying	23
`G3004-68`	λέγοντος	legontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	saying	of the one saying	of the one saying	23
`G3004-70`	λέγουσα	legousa	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG`	saying	speaking	saying	22
`G3004-35`	ἐρεῖ	erei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will say	he/she will say	he will say	17
`G3004-08`	εἰπεῖν	eipein	`V AOR ACT INF`	to say	to say	to say	16
`G3004-04`	εἴπατε	eipate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	tell	Speak	Say	14
`G3004-60`	λεγόμενος	legomenos	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	called	being said	being said	12
`G3004-76`	ῥηθὲν	rethen	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG`	was spoken	having been spoken	having been said	12
`G3004-13`	εἴπωμεν	eipomen	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P PL`	we say	let us say	let us say	10
`G3004-41`	ἐρρέθη	errethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was said	was declared	it was said	10
`G3004-59`	λεγόμενον	legomenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being said	being said	10
`G3004-03`	εἶπας	eipas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	have said	you said	you said	9
`G3004-64`	λέγοντας	legontas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	saying	saying	saying	9
`G3004-11`	εἴπητε	eipete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you say	you may say	you may say	8
`G3004-26`	εἴρηκέν	eireken	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	he has said	has declared	has said	8
`G3004-38`	ἐρῶ	ero	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	I will say	I will say	I will say	8
`G3004-48`	λέγεται	legetai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	is called	is said	is said	8
`G3004-72`	λέγουσαν	legousan	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	saying	saying (feminine singular accusative)	saying	8
`G3004-12`	εἴπω	eipo	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I tell	I might say	I might say	7
`G3004-39`	ἐροῦμεν	eroumen	`V FUT ACT IND 1P PL`	shall we say	we will say	we will say	7
`G3004-73`	λεγούσης	legouses	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG`	saying	of her speaking	saying	7
`G3004-18`	εἴπωσιν	eiposin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	say	they might say	they might say	6
`G3004-67`	λεγόντων	legonton	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	saying	of those speaking	of those saying	6
`G3004-37`	ἐρεῖτε	ereite	`V FUT ACT IND 2P PL`	you will say	you (plural) will say	you (plural) will say	5
`G3004-40`	ἐροῦσίν	erousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they will say	they will say	they will say	5
`G3004-52`	λέγομεν	legomen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we say	we are saying	we are saying	5
`G3004-63`	λέγοντα	legonta	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N PL`	saying	ones speaking	ones saying	5
`G3004-71`	λέγουσαι	legousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	saying	speaking	saying	5
`G3004-10`	εἴπῃς	eipes	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG`	you tell	you might say	you might say	4
`G3004-17`	εἰπόντος	eipontos	`V AOR ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	had said	of having said	of his having said	4
`G3004-20`	εἴρηκα	eireka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have said	I have said	I have said	4
`G3004-29`	εἰρημένον	eiremenon	`V PRF PASS PTCP ACC N SG`	spoken	what has been said	what has been said	4
`G3004-36`	ἐρεῖς	ereis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	You will say	you will say	you will say	4
`G3004-43`	λέγῃ	lege	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	says	may say	may say	4
`G3004-47`	λέγεσθαι	legesthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	to be called	to be spoken	to be said	4
`G3004-55`	λεγομένην	legomenen	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC F SG`	called	being called	being called	4
`G3004-58`	λεγομένοις	legomenois	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT N PL`	said	to things being spoken	to things being said	4
`G3004-01`	εἶπα	eipa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	said	I said	I said	3
`G3004-15`	εἰπόντα	eiponta	`V AOR ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	saying	having said	saying	3
`G3004-16`	εἰπόντες	eipontes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	having spoken	saying	3
`G3004-19`	εἰποῦσα	eipousa	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG`	having said	having said	having said	3
`G3004-25`	εἰρήκει	eirekei	`V PLPF ACT IND 3P SG`	had spoken	had said	he had said	3
`G3004-69`	λέγωσιν	legosin	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	should tell	they may say	they may say	3
`G3004-54`	λεγομένη	legomene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	called	being called	being called	2
`G3004-56`	λεγομένης	legomenes	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	called	of the one being called	called	2
`G3004-57`	λεγόμενοι	legomenoi	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL`	are called	being called	being called	2
`G3004-05`	εἰπάτω	eipato	`V AOR ACT IMP 3P SG`	say	let him say	let him say	1
`G3004-06`	εἰπάτωσαν	eipatosan	`V AOR ACT IMP 3P PL`	let [them] say	let them declare	let them say	1
`G3004-21`	εἴρηκαν	eirekan	`V PRF ACT IND 3P PL`	they said	they have spoken	they said	1
`G3004-22`	εἴρηκας	eirekas	`V PRF ACT IND 2P SG`	you have said	you have spoken	you have said	1
`G3004-23`	εἰρήκασιν	eirekasin	`V PRF ACT IND 3P PL`	have said	they have declared	have said	1
`G3004-24`	εἰρήκατε	eirekate	`V PRF ACT IND 2P PL`	you have said	you have declared	you have declared	1
`G3004-27`	εἰρηκέναι	eirekenai	`V PRF ACT INF`	to have said	to have declared	to have declared	1
`G3004-28`	εἰρηκότος	eirekotos	`V PRF ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	spoken	of him who has spoken	which he said	1
`G3004-30`	εἴρηται	eiretai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	It has been said	it stands declared	it has been said	1
`G3004-31`	ἔλεγε	elege	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	was calling	was saying	was saying	1
`G3004-33`	ἐλέγετε	elegete	`V IMPF ACT IND 2P PL`	you-would-say	you were saying	you would say	1
`G3004-42`	ἐρρέθησαν	errethesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	were-spoken	they were declared	they were declared	1
`G3004-50`	λεγέτω	legeto	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG`	say	let him speak	let him say	1
`G3004-53`	λεγόμενα	legomena	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC N PL`	things that were said	things being said	things being said	1
`G3004-61`	λεγομένου	legomenou	`V PRS PASS PTCP GEN M SG`	called	of the one being said	who is called	1
`G3004-66`	λέγοντι	legonti	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	saying	to the one speaking	to the one speaking	1
`G3004-75`	ῥηθεὶς	retheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	referred to	having been said	having been spoken	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2353 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3004-51`	Matthew 5:34	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	say	I say	I say
`G3004-41`	Matthew 5:38	ἐρρέθη	errethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was said	was declared	it was said
`G3004-51`	Matthew 5:39	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	say	I say	I say
`G3004-41`	Matthew 5:43	ἐρρέθη	errethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was said	was declared	it was said
`G3004-51`	Matthew 5:44	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 6:2	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 6:5	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 6:16	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 6:25	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 6:29	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-65`	Matthew 6:31	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-36`	Matthew 7:4	ἐρεῖς	ereis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	will you say	you will say	you will say
`G3004-62`	Matthew 7:21	λέγων	legon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	says	saying	saying
`G3004-40`	Matthew 7:22	ἐροῦσίν	erousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	will say	they will say	will say
`G3004-62`	Matthew 8:2	λέγων	legon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-62`	Matthew 8:3	λέγων	legon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-44`	Matthew 8:4	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	says	he/she says	he says
`G3004-10`	Matthew 8:4	εἴπῃς	eipes	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG`	you tell	you might say	you might say
`G3004-62`	Matthew 8:6	λέγων	legon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-44`	Matthew 8:7	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	says	he/she says	he says
`G3004-07`	Matthew 8:8	εἰπὲ	eipe	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	say	Speak!	Say!
`G3004-51`	Matthew 8:9	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-09`	Matthew 8:10	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-51`	Matthew 8:10	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-51`	Matthew 8:11	λέγω	lego	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I say	I say	I say
`G3004-09`	Matthew 8:13	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-76`	Matthew 8:17	ῥηθὲν	rethen	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG`	was spoken	having been spoken	having been said
`G3004-68`	Matthew 8:17	λέγοντος	legontos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	saying	of the one saying	of the one saying
`G3004-09`	Matthew 8:19	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-44`	Matthew 8:20	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	says	he/she says	he/she says
`G3004-09`	Matthew 8:21	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-44`	Matthew 8:22	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he/she says	he says
`G3004-65`	Matthew 8:25	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-44`	Matthew 8:26	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	he said	he/she says	he says
`G3004-65`	Matthew 8:27	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-65`	Matthew 8:29	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-65`	Matthew 8:31	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-09`	Matthew 8:32	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he said	he said	he said
`G3004-09`	Matthew 9:2	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-14`	Matthew 9:3	εἶπον	eipon	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	said	they said	they said
`G3004-09`	Matthew 9:4	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said
`G3004-08`	Matthew 9:5	εἰπεῖν	eipein	`V AOR ACT INF`	to say	to say	to say
`G3004-08`	Matthew 9:5	εἰπεῖν	eipein-2	`V AOR ACT INF`	to say	to say	to say
`G3004-44`	Matthew 9:6	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	He said	he/she says	he says
`G3004-59`	Matthew 9:9	λεγόμενον	legomenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	called	being said	being said
`G3004-44`	Matthew 9:9	λέγει	legei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	He said	he/she says	he says
`G3004-34`	Matthew 9:11	ἔλεγον	elegon	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	said	they were saying	they were saying
`G3004-09`	Matthew 9:12	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he said	he said	he said
`G3004-65`	Matthew 9:14	λέγοντες	legontes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	saying	saying	saying
`G3004-09`	Matthew 9:15	εἶπεν	eipen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	said	he said	he said

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