How to say "speak" in Japanese

• 話すはなすJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe everyday word for 'speak' as in talking or conversing with someone — chatting with a friend, talking with a colleague. Use it whenever you simply mean the neutral act of speaking.
  ジョンはお客きゃくさんと電話でんわで話はなした。↗

  John talked with his customer on the phone.
• おっしゃるJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb (irregular), transitive verbHonorific (sonkeigo) language: the respectful way to refer to a superior's or customer's speaking, saying, or telling. Not a neutral word for 'speak' — never use it about your own speech.
  ここではどんどん意見いけんをおっしゃってかまいません。↗

  You can speak out freely here.

For plain speaking or talking with people, use 「話す」; reserve 「おっしゃる」 for honorific contexts, when respectfully describing what a superior or other respected person says or tells.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 話すはなすto talk
• おっしゃるto say
• スピークspeak
• 弁じるべんじるto speak
• 声を出すこえをだすto speak
• 口をきくくちをきくto speak
• 物を言うものをいうto speak (of something)
• 声がするこえがするto speak
• 言葉をかけることばをかけるto speak words (of)
• 言葉を吐くことばをはくto talk
• 抜かすぬかすto say
• 口にするくちにするto speak (of)
• 物申すものもうすto speak
• 使うつかうto use (language)
• かぶせるto speak (over someone else)