Translation and Meaning of: 話 - hanashi

The term 「話」 (hanashi) is a Japanese word that means "conversation" or "story." The etymology of this word is interesting and dates back to the verb 「話す」 (hanasu), which means "to speak" or "to converse." The structure of the word is based on the kanji 「話」, which is composed of the radicals 「言」 (gen), meaning "word" or "to say," and 「舌」 (shita), meaning "tongue." These radicals together form the concept of oral communication, exemplifying the idea of exchanging information or stories between people.

In Japanese culture, 「話」 assumes various roles. For example, in traditional stories and legends, the word is used to describe ancient tales passed down from generation to generation. Furthermore, 「話」 also refers to a casual conversation between friends or family. The importance of this word lies not only in its literal definition but in the fundamental role that communication and narrative play in Japanese society. Telling stories, or 「話」, is a vital way to convey cultural values, teachings, and traditions.

Another variation of the word is 「お話」 (ohanashi), which adds an honorific prefix 「お」 (o) to indicate respect or politeness. This format is often used in formal contexts or when referring to stories that have cultural or educational value, especially when told to children or in literary contexts. The use of honorific prefixes is a distinctive characteristic of the Japanese language that highlights the social and cultural nuances hidden in daily communication.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 話し (Hanashi) - Conversation, dialogue.
• 会話 (Kaiwa) - Conversation, exchange of dialogue.
• 対話 (Taiwa) - Dialogue, discussion between two or more people.
• 口調 (Kuchou) - Tone of voice, manner of speaking.
• 言葉 (Kotoba) - Words, language; it can refer to both vocabulary and expression.
• 話題 (Wadai) - Topic of conversation.
• 話術 (Wajutsu) - Conversation technique, the art of communication.
• 話法 (Wahou) - Method of speaking; it can refer to styles or ways of expressing oneself.
• 話し方 (Hanashikata) - Way of speaking; style in communication.
• 話し声 (Hanashigoe) - Voice (used in conversation); the sound of speech.
• 話し合い (Hanashiai) - Discussion, meeting to talk.
• 話し合う (Hanashiau) - Discuss, dialogue between two or more people.
• 話し込み (Hanashikomi) - Engage in conversation, immerse yourself in dialogue.
• 話し合って決める (Hanashiatte kimeru) - Decide after discussing; reach a conclusion through dialogue.
• 話し合って解決する (Hanashiatte kaigetsu suru) - Resolve a situation through conversation; solve through dialogue.
• 話し合いの場 (Hanashiai no ba) - Space for discussion; a place where dialogue takes place.
• 話し合いの結果 (Hanashiai no kekka) - Outcome of the discussion; what was decided or concluded in a conversation.
• 話し合いの内容 (Hanashiai no naiyou) - Discussion content; the topics covered in a conversation.
• 話し合いの進め方 (Hanashiai no susume kata) - Way to conduct the discussion; how to carry out a dialogue.
• 話し合いのやり方 (Hanashiai no yarikata) - Way of conducting the discussion; approach in the way of conversing.
• 話し合いの方法 (Hanashiai no houhou) - Discussion method; techniques used during the conversation.

話

Romaji: hanashi
Kana: はなし
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: conversation; speech; chat; history; conversation

Meaning in English: talk;speech;chat;story;conversation

Definition: To convey one's own intentions through words or voice.

Example Sentences - (話) hanashi

See below some example sentences:

気兼ねなく話してください。

Kigenenaku hanashite kudasai

Please speak without hesitation.

Please speak without hesitation.

• 気兼ね - means "hesitation" or "reservation" in Japanese.
• なく - is a negative particle that means "not to have" or "without".
• 話して - is the verb "speak" in the imperative, which means "speak".
• ください - is a polite form of the verb "give", which is used to make a request or request.

携帯電話は私たちの生活に欠かせないものになっています。

Keitai denwa wa watashitachi no seikatsu ni kakasenai mono ni natte imasu

Cell phones have become indispensable in our daily lives.

Cell phones are indispensable to our lives.

• 携帯電話 (keitai denwa) - cell phone
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 生活 (seikatsu) - life, lifestyle
• に (ni) - target particle
• 欠かせない (kakasenai) - indispensable
• もの (mono) - thing
• に (ni) - target particle
• なっています (natte imasu) - has become, is becoming

宴会には美味しい料理と楽しい会話が欠かせない。

Enkai ni wa oishii ryouri to tanoshii kaiwa ga kakasenai

At a banquet

Delicious food and fun conversation are must-haves for banquets.

• 宴会 (えんかい) - banquet/party
• には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
• 美味しい (おいしい) - delicious
• 料理 (りょうり) - culinary/food
• と - particle indicating the connection between two things
• 楽しい (たのしい) - fun
• 会話 (かいわ) - conversation
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 欠かせない (かかせない) - essential/necessary

対話は相手を理解するための重要な手段です。

Taidowa wa aite o rikai suru tame no juuyou na shudan desu

Dialogue is an important means of understanding the other person.

Dialogue is an important means to understand the other person.

• 対話 (taiwa) - dialogue
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 相手 (aite) - another person, interlocutor
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 理解する (rikai suru) - Understand
• ための (tame no) - for
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 手段 (shudan) - middle, method
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

委員会で話し合いをしましょう。

Iinkai de hanashi ai o shimashou

Let's discuss in the committee meeting.

Let's talk to the committee.

• 委員会 - committee
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 話し合い - Discussion, conversation
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• しましょう - Polite and polished form of the verb "to do"

事柄について話し合いましょう。

Jigara ni tsuite hanashi aimashou

Let's discuss it.

Let's talk about things.

• 事柄 - subject, theme
• について - about
• 話し合い - Discussion, conversation
• ましょう - let's do, let's have

世話をすることは大切です。

Sewa wo suru koto wa taisetsu desu

Taking care of others is important.

It is important to take care of it.

• 世話をする - take care
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be in the present

下らない話をするな。

Shitaranai hanashi wo suru na

DON'T TALK ABOUT TRIVIL THATS.

Don't talk about it.

• 下らない - adjective meaning "insignificant", "worthless"
• 話 - noun meaning "conversation", "story"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• する - verb meaning "to do", "to accomplish"
• な - particle indicating an order or prohibition

この話題はとても興味深いですね。

Kono wadai wa totemo kyōmi bukai desu ne

This topic is very interesting.

This topic is very interesting.

• この話題 - kono wadai - This topic
• は - wa- Topic particle
• とても - totem - Very
• 興味深い - kyōmibukai - Interesting
• です - desu - polite way of being
• ね - huh - confirmation/emphasis particle

はきはきと話すことが大切です。

Hakihaki to hanasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to speak clearly and concisely.

It is important to talk to the postcard.

• はきはきと話すこと - means "to speak clearly and with confidence".
• が - a particle that indicates a relationship of contrast or opposition.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - a polite way of saying something in Japanese.