日本語が話せます
nihongo ga hanasemasu
The English phrase "I know how to speak japanese" is translated into Japanese as 日本語が話せます (nihongo ga hanasemasu).
This phrase is a statement used to express that a person has the ability to speak the Japanese language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nihongo (Japanese language), the particle ga (subject marker) and hanasemasu (the potential form of "to speak").
Which one should you use?
While 日本語が話せます emphasizes the ability or capacity to speak the language, the phrase 日本語を話します simply describes the act of speaking it.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more casual tone with friends or peers, you can use 私、日本語話せるよ or 日本語は話せる. In formal settings, you might also see the more descriptive 日本語を話すことができます.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary or informal form of this phrase is 日本語が話せる.
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo ga hanasemasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using the potential form hanasemasu, English speakers often mistakenly use the particle o (object marker) instead of ga, though o is sometimes heard in casual speech.
Did you know?
- In Japan, saying 日本語が話せます can be seen as overly confident. Many fluent speakers prefer saying 日本語を少し勉強しています meaning 'I am studying Japanese a little' to remain humble.
- The term 日本語 (Japanese language) literally translates to 'the language of the sun-origin'. The character 日 means 'sun' and 本 means 'origin'.
- While 日本語が話せます describes language ability, the verb 話す is used for 'speaking' but not for 'talking' on the phone, where 電話する is used instead.
Examples in context
- 日本語が話せます。Nihongo ga hanasemasu.I can speak Japanese.
- 少しですが、日本語が話せます。Sukoshi desu ga, Nihongo ga hanasemasu.I can speak a little Japanese.
- 彼は日本語が話せます。Kare wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu.He can speak Japanese.
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are talking about language skills.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは日本語が話せますか。Hina-san wa nihongo ga hanasemasu ka.Hina, can you speak Japanese?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、日本語が話せます。Hai, nihongo ga hanasemasu.Yes, I can speak Japanese.
- 健太 Kentaすごいですね！Sugoi desu ne!That's amazing!
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
