What is the most common mistake with "Say" and "Mean"?

NOT "What do you want to say?" (sounds odd in English). NOT "What does this word say?" (a word does not "say" anything on its own; it "means" something).

How do I remember the difference between "Say" and "Mean"?

When you want to understand someone's INTENTION, use "mean" ("What did you mean by that?"). When you are quoting the WORDS someone used, use "say" ("What did she say?"). Say = the words themselves. Mean = the intention or significance behind them.

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ESEN

Which one to use?Beginnerverboverbo

SayvsMean

"Say" is to produce words; "mean" is the intention or meaning behind them.

Side-by-side comparison

Say

verbo

"Say" is to express or utter words. It focuses on the act of speaking. "What did he say?" = what words did he use? It does not imply intention, only expression.

She said she would call me back, but she never did.
What did he say? I could not hear him.
Do not say anything, just listen for now.

Mean

verbo

"Mean" is to intend to say or to have a particular significance. "What do you mean?" = what is your intention? "What does this word mean?" = what is the meaning of this word?

What do you mean? I do not understand.
I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I am sorry.
What does this word mean in English?

Common mistake

•NOT "What do you want to say?" (sounds odd in English).
•NOT "What does this word say?" (a word does not "say" anything on its own; it "means" something).

Trick to remember it

•When you want to understand someone's INTENTION, use "mean" ("What did you mean by that?").
•When you are quoting the WORDS someone used, use "say" ("What did she say?").
•Say = the words themselves.
•Mean = the intention or significance behind them.

Quick rule

"Say" = produce words. "Mean" = intend / signify.

Did you know?

MEAN is one of the most polysemous words in English, with at least five completely different uses. As a verb: "What do you mean?" (what are you trying to express?) and "I didn't mean to hurt you" (I had no intention of hurting you). As an adjective: "a mean person" (a cruel or unkind person) and "mean streets" (dangerous streets). As a noun in mathematics: "the mean of the data" (the average). And in the expression "It means a lot to me" (it is very significant to me). One word, five completely distinct semantic territories.