〜言わずもがな

Needless to Say

Level 5Sounds Like iwazumogana

〜言わずもがな is a literary pattern used to emphasize that something is so obvious it doesn't need mentioning, or to describe a remark that was unnecessary and should have been avoided.

How It Works

This pattern is an archaic remnant of classical Japanese that remains active in modern formal contexts. It consists of the negative form of 言う（いう） and the particle もがな, which historically expressed a wish for something to exist or happen. Literally, it translates to 'I wish it were not said.'

Historical Context:
Originally, in classical Japanese, this expression only carried Meaning B ('Better left unsaid'). It expressed regret or the desire that a specific statement had never been uttered. Over time, it underwent a historical shift to include Meaning A ('Needless to say'), where the 'wish not to say' evolved into the idea that saying it is unnecessary because the fact is already obvious.

Two Distinct Meanings:

  • Meaning A: 'Needless to say' / 'It goes without saying'
    Used to highlight that a fact is so obvious that mentioning it is redundant. It often appears in the structure '[Noun] は言わずもがな' to show that the noun is a given, before moving on to something even more noteworthy.
  • Meaning B: 'Better left unsaid' / 'Should not have been said'
    The original classical sense, used to describe a comment that was unnecessary, rude, or caused trouble. It often modifies a noun, as in '言わずもがなの事'（いわずもがなのこと）.

Usage Notes:

  • Register: It is very 'stiff' 硬い（かたい） and formal. Using it in casual conversation will sound theatrical or overly dramatic.
  • Grammar: It can follow nouns directly with は, or follow verbs using the nominalizer の. It can also act as a pre-noun modifier using の.

Examples (5)

  1. 彼は英語は言わずもがな、フランス語も堪能だ。

    He is proficient in French, to say nothing of English.

    Word by Word: He as-for English is-needless-to-say, French also proficient is.

    This uses Meaning A. It implies that his English ability is so obvious it doesn't need mentioning, emphasizing his additional skill in French.

  2. つい口を滑らせて、言わずもがなのことを言ってしまった。

    I let it slip and said something that was better left unsaid.

    Word by Word: Accidentally mouth (object) let-slip, better-left-unsaid thing (object) said (regret).

    This uses Meaning B. It describes a remark that caused regret because it was unnecessary or tactless.

  3. 主演俳優の演技が素晴らしかったのは言わずもがなだ。

    It goes without saying that the lead actor's performance was wonderful.

    Word by Word: Lead actor's performance (subject) wonderful was (nominalizer) as-for needless-to-say is.

    This uses Meaning A as a predicate to emphasize that the quality of the acting was a self-evident truth.

  4. そんなことは言わずもがなだ。誰でも知っている。

    That kind of thing goes without saying. Everyone knows it.

    Word by Word: That-kind-of thing as-for needless-to-say is. Everyone even knows.

    Here, the speaker emphasizes that the information is common knowledge and redundant to mention.

  5. 余計な一言、言わずもがなの指摘が関係を悪化させた。

    One extra word—an unnecessary criticism—worsened the relationship.

    Word by Word: Extra one-word, better-left-unsaid criticism (subject) relationship (object) worsened.

    This uses Meaning B to describe a specific criticism that should have been kept to oneself.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the incorrect form 言われずもがな（いわれずもがな） to mean 'I don't need to be told'.

    そんなことは言われずもがなだ。
    そんなことは言わずもがなだ。

    Learners often try to use the passive form 言われず（いわれず）, but 言わずもがな（いわずもがな） is a fixed set phrase. Even if you mean 'I don't need to be told,' you must use the standard form.

  • Using it in casual, everyday conversation.

    今日のテストが難しいのは言わずもがなだね。
    今日のテストが難しいのは言うまでもないね。

    While grammatically correct, 言わずもがな（いわずもがな） is too formal for a casual chat with friends. 言うまでもない（いうまでもない） is much more natural for general formal or semi-formal speech.

How It Connects

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〜言わずもがなLevel 5Needless to Say

Learn This First

〜言わずもがな is an advanced expression meaning 'needless to say.' It is built from the negative form of the verb '言う' (to say) using the archaic negative suffix 'ず', combined with the particle 'も' and the archaic particle 'がな' (expressing desire or emphasis). To understand it, learners need to recognize the negative verb stem and the emphatic use of particles.

Words in This Pattern

言わずもがなもがな