Definition
Used to indicate that one is using words in an unusual, metaphorical, or approximate way.
Etymology
This phrase emerged in the 17th century as a way to signal non-literal language use. It evolved from formal rhetoric and academic writing, where precision of language was valued. The phrase serves as a linguistic disclaimer, acknowledging that the speaker is stretching normal word usage for effect.
Kelly Says
This phrase is like a verbal wink—it signals to the listener that the speaker knows they're being creative with language. It's fascinating how it simultaneously uses imprecise language while drawing attention to that imprecision, creating a kind of meta-commentary on communication itself.
Translations
ARالعربية
كما يقال
kama yuqal
BNবাংলা
বলতে গেলে
bolte gele
CACatalà
digues
dee-GWEHS
CSČeština
řekněme
REH-kneh-meh
DADansk
så at sige
SOH aht SEE-geh
DEDeutsch
sozusagen
zoh-ZOO-sah-gen
ELΕλληνικά
λέγοντας
LEH-gohn-tahs
ESEspañol
por así decirlo
pohr ah-SEE deh-SEER-loh
FAفارسی
به این معنی
beh in ma'ni
FISuomi
niin sanottuna
NEE-in SAH-noh-toh-nah
FRFrançais
pour ainsi dire
poo-rah-SEE dee-reh
GUGU
એમ કહીએ તો
em kahiye to
HIहिन्दी
इस तरह से
is tarah se
HUMagyar
mondjuk
MOHN-dyook
IDBahasa Indonesia
dengan kata lain
deng-an KAH-tah LAH-in
IGIG
ọnụ ọnụ
OH-noo OH-noo
ITItaliano
per così dire
pehr koh-ZEE DEE-reh
KKKK
дегенмен
deh-GEN-men
KMKM
ដូចជាយ៉ាងនេះ
doh-chah yahng neih
MSBahasa Melayu
secara kiasan
seh-KAH-rah KEE-ah-sahn
NLNederlands
zoals gezegd
ZOH-ahls geh-ZEGT
NONorsk
så å si
SOH oh SEE
PAPA
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ
is tarhaan
PLPolski
mówiąc ściśle
MOO-vee-ahntch SHEE-sleh
PTPortuguês
por assim dizer
pohr ah-SEE-mee DEH-zehr
RORomână
cum s-ar zice
koom sah ZEE-tseh
RUРусский
так сказать
TAHK SKAH-zhat
SVSvenska
så att säga
SOH aht SEH-gah
SWKiswahili
kwa maneno mengine
KWAH mah-NEH-noh meh-NGEH-neh
TLTL
sa madaling sabi
SAH mah-DAH-leeng SAH-bee
TRTürkçe
kısacası
KUH-sah-jah-see
UKУкраїнська
так би мовити
TAHK BEE MOH-vee-tee
URاردو
یوں کہتے ہیں
yoon kehte hain
VITiếng Việt
nói cách khác
NOH-ee kahk KHAIR
ZUZU
ngokwethembile
n-goh-kweh-theh-mee-leh