しゃべる
しゃべる
verb (godan)
to talk, to chat, to chatter
1.
to talk, to chat
To engage in casual conversation.
友達としゃべる。
To chat with friends.
電話でしゃべる。
To chat on the phone.
カフェでしゃべる。
To chat at a cafe.
久しぶりに会って、一晩中しゃべった。
We met after a long time and talked all night.
カフェで友達と楽しくしゃべっていたら、あっという間に3時間経っていた。
I was chatting happily with friends at a cafe, and before I knew it, three hours had passed.
2.
to chatter, to blab
To talk a lot, sometimes revealing secrets.
秘密をしゃべるな。
Don't blab secrets.
余計なことをしゃべった。
I said too much.
何をしゃべっているの？
What are you chattering about?
口が軽くてすぐしゃべるから、あの人には秘密を言えない。
That person has a loose tongue and blabs easily, so I can't tell them secrets.
会議中に余計なことをしゃべって、上司に注意された。
I blurted out something unnecessary during the meeting and was scolded by my boss.
しゃべる is a casual verb for talking or chatting, often implying informal or excessive talking.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞/他動詞 (can be both)
- 友達としゃべる (intransitive: chat with friends)
- 秘密をしゃべる (transitive: blab a secret)
TWO NUANCES:
1. Casual chatting: 友達としゃべる
2. Blabbing/excessive talk: 秘密をしゃべる
COMPARISON:
- しゃべる: to chat, chatter (casual)
- 話す: to speak, talk (neutral)
- 語る: to tell, narrate (literary)
RELATED:
- おしゃべり: chatty person; chatting (noun)
- おしゃべりな: talkative (na-adjective)
NOTE:
Can have a slightly negative nuance when referring to talking too much or revealing secrets.