話(はな)す

はなす

verb (godan)

to speak, to talk

1. to speak, to talk

To produce speech, to communicate verbally. Used for speaking a language, talking to someone, or giving a speech.

I speak Japanese.

友達(ともだち)と話(はな)している。

I'm talking with my friend.

Please speak more slowly.

He can speak English too.

I was talking with a friend I hadn't seen in a while, and time flew by.

2. to tell, to explain

To convey information or a story to someone. 話(はなし)を話(はな)す sounds redundant, so often 話(はなし)をする is used instead.

Tell me the truth.

Please tell me what happened.

I accidentally told the secret.

I told him everything.

When I told my friends what happened yesterday, everyone was surprised.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). No pair verb. Pattern: Xを話(はな)す (speak X) / Xと話(はな)す (talk with X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 話(はな)している = 'is talking.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

Focuses on the act of speaking. Compare: 言(い)う (say - focuses on content). Noun: 話(はなし) (story/conversation).

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