Translation and Meaning of: 話す - hanasu

The verb 「話す」 (hanasu) is an essential word in the Japanese language, widely used to indicate the act of "speaking" or "conversing." The etymology of the word traces back to basic components of kanji. 「話」 is composed of the radical 「言」 which means "word" or "to say," and the radical 「舌」 which represents "tongue." Together, these elements form the concept of using the tongue to express words, reinforcing the idea of speech or oral communication.

The word has different nuances of use, ranging from informal conversations to more formal speeches. In everyday life, 「話す」 is used to describe the act of effectively verbalizing thoughts or information. It can be conjugated in various ways to indicate different tenses or moods, such as the past tense 「話しました」 (hanashimashita) for "I spoke" or the negative form 「話さない」 (hanasanai) for "I do not speak." This flexibility in conjugation makes the verb extremely versatile in various communicative situations.

Interestingly, the act of speaking in Japanese goes beyond the mere emission of words. It involves many non-verbal aspects, such as intonation and context. 「話す」 also differs from other terms related to communication, such as 「言う」 (iu), which means "to say," emphasizing the person transmitting the message more than the interactive exchange. This subtlety highlights the richness of the Japanese language in capturing distinct nuances of communication.

The origin of 「話す」 is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where efficient and harmonious communication is highly valued. The ability to choose words and express ideas appropriately is an important reflection of one's social status and education. In many cultural traditions, the way you speak – reflected in 「話す」 – can signify a deepening of interpersonal relationships, emphasizing respect and consideration for others.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 語る (kataru) - To tell, report, or narrate something, usually involving a story or experience.
• 言う (iu) - Say or speak, usually used in a more direct and simple way.
• 話し合う (hanashiau) - Discuss together, talking to reach an understanding.
• 伝える (tsutaeru) - Transmit or communicate information, ideas, or feelings to another person.
• 会話する (kaiwa suru) - Engage in a conversation or dialogue.
• 口にする (kuchi ni suru) - To express or pronounce something, often related to eating or talking about something.
• 述べる (noberu) - Declare or expose in words, often in a formal or descriptive context.
• 話し掛ける (hanashikakeru) - Start a conversation with someone, often casually.
• 話し込む (hanashikomu) - Converse deeply or intensely about a specific subject.
• 話し合わせる (hanashiawaseru) - To have two or more people talk or share their ideas, usually in search of consensus.

話す

Romaji: hanasu
Kana: はなす
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: Speak

Meaning in English: to speak

Definition: Use words with your mouth or voice. Exchange opinions and information.

Example Sentences - (話す) hanasu

See below some example sentences:

私は片言の日本語しか話せません。

Watashi wa katagoto no nihongo shika hanasemasen

I can only speak a single Japanese word.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 片言 (katanaga) - noun that means "limited speech"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• しか (shika) - particle that indicates exclusion or limitation
• 話せません (hanasemasen) - verb that means "I can't speak"

英語が話せますか？

Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?

You speak English?

You can talk in English?

• 英語 - 英語 (えいご)
• が - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 話せます - 日本語で「話す」という動詞は、現在形で丁寧な形では「話します」となります。
• か - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates a question