日本語を話す
To speak Japanese, you say 日本語を話す.
The phrase 日本語を話す is used to describe the act of speaking the Japanese language. If you want to emphasize your proficiency to mean 'I can speak Japanese well', you can use the phrase よく日本語ができる.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 日本語を話す is composed of 日本語 (Japanese language), を (object marker particle) and 話す (to speak).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form 日本語を話す is informal and used in casual conversation with friends or family, or in written prose. For a polite version suitable for professional settings or when speaking to strangers, use 日本語を話します.
Did you know?
- The word for 'Japanese language', 日本語, literally translates to 'Japan middle language'.
- If you use the polite form 日本語を話します with a close friend, you might inadvertently create a sense of psychological distance, making you sound formal or robotic.
- The verb 話す (to speak) shares the same kanji character as the word for 'story' or 'tale', meaning the act of speaking is deeply linked to the concept of narration.
Examples in context
- 私たちは日本語を話す。We speak Japanese.This sentence shows how to say 'We speak Japanese' using 日本語を話す.Tatoeba #165363 by arnab, translation #249142 by CN
- 日本語を話すことができます。I can speak Japanese.This sentence demonstrates how to say 'I can speak Japanese' using 日本語を話す.Tatoeba #3456433 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #3456431 by CN
- 彼は日本語を話すことができる。He is able to speak Japanese.This sentence shows how to say 'He is able to speak Japanese' using 日本語を話す.Tatoeba #101447 by bunbuku, translation #302248 by Eldad
- Watashi wa nihongo o hanashimasu. (私は日本語を話します)I speak Japanese.
- Genki na hito wa nihongo ga dekiru. (元気な人は日本語ができる)Energetic people can speak Japanese.
- Nihongo ga dekirubeki to omoimasu. (日本語ができるべきと思います)I think you should be able to speak Japanese.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto asks Himari if she can speak Japanese at school.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんは、学校で日本語を話すの？Himari-san wa, gakkou de nihongo o hanasu no?Himari, do you speak Japanese at school?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、少し日本語を話すよ。Un, sukoshi nihongo o hanasu yo.Yeah, I speak a little Japanese.
- 大翔 Hirotoすごいね！僕も日本語を話す練習をしているんだ。Sugoi ne! Boku mo nihongo o hanasu renshuu o shite iru n da.That's amazing! I'm practicing speaking Japanese too.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くんも、一緒に頑張ろうね。Hiroto-kun mo, issho ni ganbarou ne.Let's both do our best, Hiroto.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
