how do you say "said/says" in japanese?
I can't find the answer, or the answer seems suspicious... so best to ask real people!

For example, " 'I want to be a doctor,' she said. " "He always says he likes Nika-chan!" how would I say "said" and "says?" arigatou~!

Question

how do you say "said/says" in japanese?
I can't find the answer, or the answer seems suspicious... so best to ask real people!

For example, " 'I want to be a doctor,' she said. "  "He always says he likes Nika-chan!" how would I say "said" and "says?" arigatou~!

Answer

say=言います（Polite)　Iimasu　　言う（Informal)　Iu／Yuu
said=言いました（Polite)　Iimashita　言った（Informal)　Itta

 'I want to be a doctor,' she said.　Can be translated to:
＝彼女は医者になりたいと言いました（Or 言った）
　Kanojyo wa isha ni naritai to iimashita (itta)
＝”医者になりたい”と彼女は言いました(言った）　　　
　”Isha ni naritai" to kanojyo wa iimashita(itta)
Either way will be fine. 

 "He always says he likes Nika-chan!"  Can be translated to:
彼はいつもニカちゃんのことが好きだと言います(言う）。
Kare wa itsumo nikachan no koto ga sukidato iimasu（Iu)

Or, you can translate to:
彼はいつもニカチャンのことが好きだと言っています(言っている）。
Kare wa itsumo nikachan no koto ga suki dato itteimasu(itteiru)

＊The last one explains the condition. ”He likes nikachan" is the current（or general) situation/condition, therefore you can use "Verb+ーています（ -teimasu）”Form

日本語の勉強がんばってね　；)