日本語が話せますね
nihongo ga hanasemasu ne
The English phrase "you can speak japanese" is expressed in Japanese as 日本語が話せますね (nihongo ga hanasemasu ne).
This phrase is used to confirm or acknowledge that someone has the ability to speak Japanese.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to sound more explanatory or as if you are reacting to a discovered fact, you can use 日本語が話せるんですね. In informal settings, one might use versions like 僕は日本語が話せるよ！ or 俺は日本語が喋れるよ！
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the particle が (ga) is used to mark the object of the potential verb. The verb itself, 話せます (hanasemasu), is in the potential form, which specifically expresses the ability or possibility to do something.
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo ga hanasemasu ne
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, saying 日本語が話せますね to a foreigner can be a 'backhanded' compliment, suggesting that their skill is surprisingly high given their appearance.
- Japanese often drops the subject entirely. While the page shows 僕は (boku wa) or 俺は (ore wa) for 'I', a native speaker will almost always omit these pronouns if it is obvious who is speaking, making the phrase simply 日本語が話せる.
- The word for 'language' in 日本語 is the suffix 語 (go). This single character can be attached to almost any country name to instantly create its language name, such as 'English' becoming 英語 (eigo).
Examples in context
- 田中さんは日本語が話せますね。Tanaka-san wa Nihongo ga hanasemasu ne.Mr. Tanaka can speak Japanese, I see.
Example conversation
A student is complimenting a foreign exchange student during a break.
- 陽葵 Himari日本語が話せますね！Nihongo ga hanasemasu ne!You can speak Japanese!
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、少しだけ話せます。Hai, sukoshi dake hanasemasu.Yes, I can speak a little.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんはとても上手ですね。Hiroto-san wa totemo jouzu desu ne.Hiroto, you are very good at it.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
