What it means
と言います means “to say that...” and introduces the content of what someone says. It follows a plain-form clause in indirect quotations. It is polite because 言います is the polite form of 言う; the familiar counterpart is と言う. The quoted content keeps its own tense and polarity, while the final 言う or 言います shows the speaker’s register.
Usage note
With nouns and na-adjectives, affirmative quoted content normally uses だ before と言う or と言います. Verbs and i-adjectives attach directly in their plain forms.
How to use it
太郎はあの人が先生だと言います。
Taro says that that person is a teacher.
由美はこの町が静かだと言います。
Yumi says that this town is quiet.
由美はこの料理がおいしいと言います。
Yumi says that this food is delicious.
健は明日来ると言います。
Ken says that he will come tomorrow.
太郎はあの人が先生だと言う。
Taro says that that person is a teacher.
由美はこの町が静かだと言う。
Yumi says that this town is quiet.
由美はこの料理がおいしいと言う。
Yumi says that this food is delicious.
健は明日来ると言う。
Ken says that he will come tomorrow.