Japanese dictionary
How to say "speak" in Japanese
話すはなす · hanasu
To "speak" in Japanese is 話す (hanasu). "Can you speak Japanese?" is 日本語が話せますか (Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka).
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Ways to say "speak" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 話すはなす · hanasu | To speak; to talk. |
| しゃべるしゃべる · shaberu | To talk; to chat (casual). |
| 申すもうす · mōsu | To say; to speak (humble). |
How to use it
"May I speak to Mr. Tanaka?" on the phone is 田中さんはいらっしゃいますか.
Casual chatting is しゃべる (shaberu).
Example sentences
- 日本語が少し話せます。Nihongo ga sukoshi hanasemasu.I can speak a little Japanese.
- もう少しゆっくり話してください。Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai.Please speak a little more slowly.
- 田中さんはいらっしゃいますか。Tanaka-san wa irasshaimasu ka.May I speak to Mr. Tanaka?
- 少しお話ししてもいいですか。Sukoshi o-hanashi shite mo ii desu ka.May I speak with you for a moment?
- 昼休みに同僚としゃべりました。Hiruyasumi ni dōryō to shaberimashita.I chatted with coworkers at lunch.
- 英語を話せる人はいますか。Eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka.Is there anyone who speaks English?
Kanji in this word
Questions
How do you ask "Do you speak English?" in Japanese?
Ask 英語が話せますか (Eigo ga hanasemasu ka).
How do you ask to speak to someone on the phone in Japanese?
Say 〇〇さんはいらっしゃいますか (... san wa irasshaimasu ka), "Is ... there?"
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.