について話す
ni tsuite hanasu
To talk about in Japanese is について話す (ni tsuite hanasu).
While について話す is the standard way to say one is talking about something, if you wish to specifically say that someone is 'bringing up' or 'making' a particular topic the subject of conversation, you would use the phrase 話題（わだい）にする.
Meaning: Translations (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the particle combination について, which means 'about' or 'concerning' a topic and the verb 話す (hanasu).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form について話す is used in casual conversation with friends or equals. In formal or humble settings, you should replace the verb with the humble form についてお話しする.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense 'talked about', change the verb to the dictionary past form hanashita or the polite past form hanashimashita. If you need to use 'talk about' as a noun phrase within a sentence (for example, 'talking about politics is hard'), you must nominalize the verb by adding こと or の after it.
How do you pronounce it?
ni tsuite hanasu
Did you know?
- The particle combination について functions like a specialized preposition, but it is actually a combination of the particle に (indicating direction or target) and ついて (derived from the verb 'to follow').
- In Japanese culture, people often avoid using について話す to bring up sensitive topics directly, instead using vague phrasing to 'hint' at a subject to maintain social harmony.
- While について話す is for general discussion, the verb 語る (kataru) is used when 'talking about' something more profound. It is reserved for epic tales, life stories, or lengthy narratives, giving the act of speaking a much more serious and dramatic weight.
Examples in context
- トムはそれについて話すのがやなんだよ。Tom doesn't like to talk about it.This sentence shows how to use について話す to express a lack of desire to discuss a topic.Tatoeba #9250572 by small_snow, translation #3181878 by CK
- 今回はプロプライエタリソフトウェアの危険性について話すべくに参りました。I've come here today to talk about the dangers of proprietary software.This sentence uses について話す to indicate the purpose of a formal arrival or speech.Tatoeba #6766374 by andresangelini, translation #6766378 by andresangelini
- 日本 (にほん) の文化 (ぶんか) について話してください。Please talk about Japanese culture.
- 新しいプロジェクトについてお話しください。Please talk about the new project.
- 最近の映画（えいが）について話そう。Let's talk about recent movies.
- 音楽（おんがく）について話してみようか？How about talking about music?
- 将来の夢について話す。Shourai no yume ni tsuite hanasu.Talk about future dreams.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren今日は、最近のニュースについて話す？Kyou wa, saikin no nyuusu ni tsuite hanasu?Shall we talk about the recent news today?
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ。何について話す？Ii yo. Nani ni tsuite hanasu?Sure. What shall we talk about?
- 蓮 Ren新しい映画について話したいな。Atarashii eiga ni tsuite hanashitai na.I want to talk about the new movie.
- 陽葵 Himariそれ、面白そうね！Sore, omoshirosou ne!That sounds interesting!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
