話す・咄す|はなすhanasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
話す話す（はなす） is the most common written form and the form beginners should use by default.
咄す咄す（はなす） is a rarely used written variant, so you will seldom encounter it; use 話す（はなす） instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto talk; to speak; to converse; to chat
- godan verb, transitive verbto tell; to explain; to narrate; to mention; to describe; to discuss
- godan verb, transitive verbto speak (a language)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 話す（はなす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 話します（はなします） |
| Negative (nai) | 話さない（はなさない） |
| polite (masen) | 話しません（はなしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 話さず・話さぬ（はなさず・はなさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 話した（はなした） |
| polite (mashita) | 話しました（はなしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 話さなかった（はなさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 話しませんでした（はなしませんでした） |
| Te form | 話して（はなして） |
| Potential | 話せる（はなせる） |
| Passive | 話される（はなされる） |
| Causative | 話させる（はなさせる） |
| Causative passive | 話させられる（はなさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 話せば（はなせば） |
| tara | 話したら（はなしたら） |
| Volitional | 話そう（はなそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 話しましょう（はなしましょう） |
| Imperative | 話せ（はなせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym言ういうNeutralFocuses on saying a specific word or phrase, as in 「ありがとうと言う」; 話す is for conversing with someone or telling about something.
- SynonymしゃべるCasualColloquial: casual chatting, often with a nuance of being talkative, as in 「よく喋る人」.
- Synonym語るかたるNeutralFor telling experiences or thoughts at length, as in 「思い出を語る」 or 「熱く語る」; emphasizes sustained narration.
- Synonym語らうかたらうWrittenWritten style: talking intimately and warmly with someone, as in 「友と語らう」.
- Synonym語り合うかたりあうNeutralTalking with each other at length, as in 「夜通し語り合う」; stresses mutual exchange.
- SynonymおっしゃるFormalHonorific for 「言う」, used for someone else's speech, as in 「先生がおっしゃる」.
- Synonym述べるのべるWrittenStating points in an organized way, mainly in formal speech or writing, as in 「意見を述べる」.
- Synonym申すもうすFormalHumble form of 「言う」 for one's own speech, as in 「田中と申します」.
- Synonym申し上げるもうしあげるFormalAn even more deferential humble form than 「申す」, as in 「お礼を申し上げます」.
- Synonym物語るものがたるNeutralTelling a story, or a fact revealing something, as in 「傷跡が物語る」.
- SynonymくっちゃべるCasualSlang for idle, nonstop chattering; carries a negative nuance.
- Related漏らすもらすNeutralLetting a secret slip or unintentionally revealing one's true feelings, as in 「本音を漏らす」; stresses something leaking out.
- Related言い表すいいあらわすNeutralExpressing something in words, as in 「言葉で言い表せない」; focuses on putting ideas into language.
- Related物言うものいうNeutralVoicing opinions or speaking up; mostly seen in set phrases such as 「物言う株主」.
- RelatedのたまうWrittenOriginally an honorific; today often used ironically of someone speaking as if self-important.
- Related仰せられるおおせられるFormalAn archaic, grand honorific, more formal than 「おっしゃる」; not used in everyday speech.
- Related弁じるべんじるWrittenWritten style: arguing a point or defending oneself; rare in daily conversation.
- RelatedこくCasualVulgar slang for spouting nonsense, mostly in 「嘘をこく」.
Default to 「話す」 for talking with someone or telling about something; use 「言う」 for saying a specific word or phrase. 「喋る」 is casual chatting, 「語る」 narrating experiences or thoughts, and 「述べる」 formal, organized statements. For politeness, 「おっしゃる」 honors the other person's speech and 「申す」 humbles your own. The rest are narrower or stylistic choices.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
