話せます
The English phrase "i can speak" is translated into Japanese as 話せます.
When using 話せます, the subject "I" is often omitted from the sentence in Japanese if it is clear from the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form 話せます can be made negative by using 話せません, which means "cannot speak". In casual conversation, the plain form 話せる is used instead of the polite 話せます.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, saying you can speak a language using 話せます can sound overly confident. To be more humble, speakers often add 少し sukoshi meaning 'a little' even if they are actually fluent.
- The kanji used in 話 (speech/talk) is composed of two parts: a mouth radical and a component representing 'to change' or 'to divide'.
- While 話せます describes the ability to speak, Japanese speakers often use 喋れます shaberemasu for casual chatting. The verb 喋る shaberu specifically implies 'chattering' or 'talking' rather than formal speech.
Examples in context
- 英語は少し話せます。I can speak English a little.This sentence is useful for saying you can speak a little English using 話せます.Tatoeba #9357974 by bunbuku, translation #258664 by CK
- 少しだけアイヌ語が話せます。I can speak Ainu a little.This sentence is useful for saying you can speak a little Ainu using 話せます.Tatoeba #10049587 by small_snow, translation #10049577 by Silja
- 少しだけフランス語が話せます。I can speak French a little.This sentence is useful for saying you can speak a little French using 話せます.Tatoeba #10049943 by small_snow, translation #2451561 by CK
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are discussing their language skills.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんはスペイン語が話せますか。Yōta-san wa Supeingo ga hanasemasu ka.Yota, can you speak Spanish?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、少しだけ話せます。Hai, sukoshi dake hanasemasu.Yes, I can speak a little.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね！どこで習ったんですか。Sugoi desu ne! Doko de naratta n desu ka.That's amazing! Where did you learn it?
- 陽太 Yota大学のクラスで勉強しました。Daigaku no kurasu de benkyō shimashita.I studied it in a university class.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
