演説・演舌|えんぜつenzetsu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
演説演説 is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners writing about a speech or address.
演舌演舌 is a rarely used form written entirely in kanji; learners will seldom encounter it and should not choose it as their default.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbspeech; address
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 演説する（えんぜつする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 演説します（えんぜつします） |
| Negative (nai) | 演説しない（えんぜつしない） |
| polite (masen) | 演説しません（えんぜつしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 演説せず・演説せぬ（えんぜつせず・えんぜつせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 演説した（えんぜつした） |
| polite (mashita) | 演説しました（えんぜつしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 演説しなかった（えんぜつしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 演説しませんでした（えんぜつしませんでした） |
| Te form | 演説して（えんぜつして） |
| Potential | 演説できる（えんぜつできる） |
| Passive | 演説される（えんぜつされる） |
| Causative | 演説させる（えんぜつさせる） |
| Causative passive | 演説させられる（えんぜつさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 演説すれば（えんぜつすれば） |
| tara | 演説したら（えんぜつしたら） |
| Volitional | 演説しよう（えんぜつしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 演説しましょう（えんぜつしましょう） |
| Imperative | 演説しろ（えんぜつしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymスピーチNeutralLoanword for speeches at weddings, parties or speech contests; 演説 leans toward public, often political advocacy, as in 「街頭演説」.
- Synonym講話こうわWrittenA plain talk explaining something to listeners, common in schools and religious settings, as in 「校長講話」; milder in tone than 演説.
- Related講演こうえんNeutralExplains a topic to an audience, as in 「講演会」, with the focus on imparting knowledge; 演説 aims at stating claims and persuading listeners.
- Related式辞しきじFormalThe address given by a representative at a ceremony, as in 「校長の式辞」; restricted to ritual occasions and highly formal.
- Related講説こうせつWrittenRare written word for a lecture-style explanation; unlike 演説, it conveys instruction rather than public advocacy.
- Related演述えんじゅつWrittenRare written word for stating one's thoughts or claims orally or in writing; in everyday use prefer 演説 or 「述べる」.
- Related辞じNeutralExtremely broad word for language and speech; 「お祝いの言葉」 can be a brief congratulatory address, while 演説 is a public speech stating one's claims.
- Antonym沈黙ちんもくNeutralSaying nothing and keeping silent; the direct opposite of the public speaking that 演説 denotes.
- AntonymしじまWrittenNative Japanese word for a state of complete stillness, with a strong literary flavor; it contrasts with 演説 only as silence versus sound.
Use 「演説」 for public, often political statements of one's views; 「スピーチ」 for wedding or party addresses and speech contests, 「講演」 for knowledge-sharing lectures, 「式辞」 for formal ceremonial addresses, and 「講話」 for plain explanatory talks. 「言葉」 is the broad everyday word for speech and 「沈黙」 its opposite; the rare written 「講説」 and 「演述」 and literary 「静寂」 seldom replace it.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
