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:

私は電話を取り次ぐことができます。

Watashi wa denwa o toritsugu koto ga dekimasu

I can pass the call.

I can hand over the phone.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 電話 (denwa) - noun meaning "telephone"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "telefone"
• 取り次ぐ (toritsugu) - The verb "to transfer (a phone call) to another person"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an action or abstract event, in this case, "transfer a call"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• できます (dekimasu) - Verb that means "to be able to"

私は日本語を話すことができます。

Watashi wa nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu

Eu posso falar japonês.

Eu consigo falar japonês.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese" or "Japanese language"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 話す (hanasu) - verbo que significa "falar" ou "conversar"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

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"

私たちは話し合うことで問題を解決することができます。

Watashitachi wa hanashiau koto de mondai o kaiketsu suru koto ga dekimasu

We can solve the problem by discussing.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 話し合う - Verb "discuss"
• ことで - Entry that indicates means or method
• 問題を - Noun "problem" with particle "the" indicating direct object
• 解決する - Verb "resolve"
• ことが - particle that indicates subject
• できます - Verb "poder" in potential form

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

話中に入り込むな。

Hanachuu ni hairikomu na

Não interrompa a conversa.

Não entre na história.

• 話中に - durante a conversa
• 入り込む - entrar, interferir
• な - particle of negation

Translation - Não interfira durante a conversa.

話し合いは大切なことです。

Hanashi ai wa taisetsu na koto desu

Negotiation is an important thing.

Discussion is important.

• 話し合い (wahashiai) - Discussion, conversation
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• な (na) - adjectival particle
• こと (koto) - thing, subject
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

議題を話し合いましょう。

Gidai wo hanashiaimashou

Let's discuss the matter.

Let's discuss the agenda.

• 議題 (giji) - subject, theme
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 話し合い (hanashiai) - Discussion, conversation
• ましょう (mashou) - Kindly form of the verb "fazer", indicating a suggestion or invitation