言
ゲン, ゴン, い.う, こと, とき

say

JLPT4 G2 S7 F83

The relevant oracle bone form of this character is 辛# needle/cutting tool + 口 mouth → *speak* sharply/distinctly, the tongue likened to a needle in the mouth → *words*; *say*; *talk*; *tell*; *express*; *order*; *call*; *mean*; *speech*.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]