1.
talk, story, tale
A spoken account of events or a narrative.
面白い話を聞いた。
I heard an interesting story.
これは本当の話です。
This is a true story.
長い話になるけど、聞いてくれる？
It's going to be a long story — will you hear me out?
子供のころ、おばあちゃんに昔話を読んでもらうのが好きだった。
When I was a child, I loved having my grandmother read me old tales.
友達から聞いた話がとても面白かったので、家に帰ってから家族にも話した。
The story I heard from a friend was so interesting that I told my family about it when I got home.
2.
conversation, discussion
An exchange of ideas through speech.
話を聞いてください。
Please listen to what I have to say.
友達と楽しく話をした。
I had a fun conversation with my friend.
今、大事な話をしているところです。
We're in the middle of an important conversation right now.
彼とは話が合うので、一緒にいると楽しい。
I get along well in conversation with him, so it's fun being together.
電話で話をしていたら、あっという間に1時間が過ぎていた。
I was chatting on the phone and before I knew it, an hour had passed.
3.
matter, topic
A subject being discussed.
話がある。
I have something to talk about.
その話は後にしましょう。
Let's discuss that matter later.
その話は聞いたことがある。
I've heard about that matter.
話が変わりますが、来週の予定はどうですか。
Changing the subject, but what are your plans for next week?
あの話はもう終わったと思っていたが、また新しい問題が出てきた。
I thought that matter was already settled, but a new problem came up again.
話 is an extremely common noun with three main meanings: story/tale, conversation, and topic/matter.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 話をする: to have a conversation
- 話を聞く: to listen to a story/what someone says
- 話がある: I have something to discuss
- 話が長い: long-winded
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
- 話が上手: good at talking
- 話が合う: to get along well in conversation
- 話が変わる: to change the subject
- 話にならない: out of the question, absurd
RELATED COMPOUNDS:
- 昔話: old tale, folklore
- 世間話: small talk, chitchat
- 身の上話: one's life story