How to say "talk" in Japanese

• 話はなしJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounTalk as a thing rather than an action: a conversation, a chat, or a speech. This noun is the natural choice when English 'talk' names the talking itself, as in a pleasant chat.
  人ひとの話はなしに水みずを差ささないでくれ。↗

  Don't throw a wet blanket over our conversation.
• 話すはなすJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe everyday verb for the act of talking: to speak, converse, or chat with someone. Reach for this when English 'talk' is a verb — talking with a friend, or speaking in a conversation.
  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.
• 語りかたりCommon
  nounPoints to talk as narration or recital — a telling or spoken performance of a story — rather than conversation. For ordinary 'talk' in the sense of chatting, this is seldom the word you want.
• しゃべるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbTo chat or chatter: talk in a lively, casual, sociable way. It is usually written in kana alone. For neutral or careful 'talk' and 'speak', 話す is the safer pick.
  つい彼かれが病気びょうきだということをしゃべってしまった。↗

  I've just let slip that he is sick.
• トークCommon
  nounThe loanword for talk as entertainment: a talk-show host's talk, or a musician's banter with the audience between songs. It can also cover light chat and banter.

For talk as a thing — a conversation, chat, or speech — use 話; for the act of talking use 「話す」 (neutral) or 「しゃべる」 (chatty); 「語り」 is for narration or recital; 「トーク」 is staged, hosted talk and banter.

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

• 話はなしtalk
• 話すはなすto talk
• 語りかたりtalk
• しゃべるto talk
• トークtalk (esp. by a talk-show host, or by a stage musician to the audience between songs)
• 会話かいわconversation
• 話しかけるはなしかけるto address (someone)
• 対談たいだんtalk
• 談話だんわtalk
• 対話たいわdialogue
• 弁べんspeech
• 話し合いはなしあいdiscussion
• 語らうかたらうto talk
• 語らいかたらいtalk
• 談義だんぎ(informal) discussion
• おしゃべりchattering
• しゃべりtalk
• 談だんtalk
• 取りざたとりざたtalk (of the town)
• 物言うものいうto talk
• 口を掛けるくちをかけるto talk
• くっちゃべるto talk
• 談じるだんじるto talk
• 談ずるだんずるto talk
• 言葉を吐くことばをはくto talk
• 弁じるべんじるto speak
• 口をきくくちをきくto speak
• 評判ひょうばんrumour
• お話おはなしtalk
• 計らうはからうto consult (with)
• 口くちspeaking
• 叩くたたくto talk (big, bad, idly, etc.)