What is the Kanji for "Talk"?
If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Talk", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for "Talk" is "話".
This kanji has 3 readings:
Its kunyomi readings are "Hana" and "Hanashi".
Its onyomi reading is "Wa".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The kanji "言" means "Say" and can be read as "Gen", "I", "Gon" and "Koto". And The kanji "舌" means "Tongue" and can be read as "Shita" and "Zetsu".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "話" mean in japanese?
"話" means "Talk" .
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
話: "Story". The Japanese noun '話 (はなし)' primarily means 'story'. It refers to a narrative or account of events, either real or fictional. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can refer to a wide range of topics, from personal anecdotes to fairy tales. For example: I heard an interesting story「面白い話を聞いた」(おもしろいはなしをきいた). Tell me a story「話をして」(はなしをして). Additionally, '話' can also refer to a conversation or discussion, but in this context, it is more about the content being discussed rather than the act of talking itself. For example: We had a long conversation about the future「将来について長い話をした」(しょうらいについてながいはなしをした).
話す: "Talk" or "Speak". The Japanese verb '話す (はなす)' primarily means 'to speak' or 'to talk'. It is used to describe the act of communicating verbally with someone. This verb can be used in various contexts, such as casual conversations, formal discussions, or storytelling. For example: I speak Japanese「私は日本語を話す」(わたしはにほんごをはなす). Let's talk about it「それについて話しましょう」(それについてはなししましょう). Note that '話す' often requires a particle like 'を' or 'と' to indicate the object of the conversation or the person being spoken to, as in '友達と話す (ともだちとはなす) (talk with a friend)'.
会話: "Conversation". The Japanese verbal noun '会話 (かいわ)' means 'conversation'. It refers to an exchange of ideas or thoughts between two or more people. This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: We had a good conversation「いい会話をした」(いいかいわをした). Let's practice English conversation「英語の会話を練習しましょう」(えいごのかいわをれんしゅうしましょう). It's important to note that '会話' can also be used to describe the act of conversing, as in '会話する (かいわする) (to converse)'.
電話: "Call". The Japanese verbal noun '電話 (でんわ)' primarily means 'call' or 'telephone'. It is used to refer to the act of making a phone call or the telephone itself. This word is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be combined with verbs like する (suru) to form the phrase '電話する (でんわする)', meaning 'to make a phone call'. For example: I will call you later「後で電話します」(あとででんわします). Please call me tomorrow「明日電話してください」(あしたでんわしてください). The word can also refer to the device itself, as in 'This is my telephone「これは私の電話です」(これはわたしのでんわです)'.
話題: "Topic". The Japanese noun '話題 (わだい)' means 'topic'. It refers to a subject of conversation or discussion. This word is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to indicate what people are talking about. For example: That's an interesting topic「それは面白い話題だ」(それはおもしろいわだいだ). Let's change the topic「話題を変えましょう」(わだいをかえましょう). The word can also be used to describe trending or popular subjects, such as in '最近の話題 (さいきんのわだい) (recent topic/trending topic)'. It is a versatile term that can apply to any subject matter being discussed.
電話帳: "Phone book". The Japanese noun '電話帳 (でんわちょう)' refers to a 'phonebook', which is a directory containing telephone numbers and addresses. This term is commonly used in contexts where one needs to look up contact information. For example: I found his number in the phonebook「電話帳で彼の番号を見つけた」(でんわちょうでかれのばんごうをみつけた). The phonebook is on the table「電話帳はテーブルの上にある」(でんわちょうはテーブルのうえにある). While digital directories are becoming more common, '電話帳' remains a relevant term in Japanese.
世話: "Care". The Japanese verbal noun '世話 (せわ)' primarily means 'care' or 'looking after'. It is commonly used to describe the act of taking care of someone or something, such as a person, animal, or even a task. It can also imply assistance or help in a broader sense. For example: Thank you for taking care of my dog「私の犬の世話をしてくれてありがとう」(わたしのいぬのせわをしてくれてありがとう). She is busy taking care of her children「彼女は子供の世話で忙しい」(かのじょはこどものせわでいそがしい). The word can also be used in idiomatic expressions like '世話になる (せわになる)', which means 'to be indebted to someone' or 'to receive help'. For instance: I am indebted to him「彼には世話になっています」(かれにはせわになっています).
受話器: "Receiver". The Japanese noun '受話器 (じゅわき)' refers to the 'receiver' of a telephone, the part of the phone that you hold to your ear to listen and speak. It is commonly used in the context of telecommunication devices. Example sentences: Please pick up the receiver「受話器を取ってください」(じゅわきをとってください). The receiver is broken「受話器が壊れています」(じゅわきがこわれています). This word is specific to telephones and does not refer to other types of receivers, such as those used in electronics or sports.
話し合う: "Discuss". The Japanese verb '話し合う (はなしあう)' means 'to discuss' or 'to talk something over'. It is used when two or more people exchange opinions or ideas to reach a mutual understanding or decision. This verb emphasizes the collaborative nature of the conversation. For example: Let's discuss the plan「計画を話し合いましょう」(けいかくをはなしあいましょう). They discussed the problem for hours「彼らは何時間もその問題を話し合った」(かれらはなんじかんもそのもんだいをはなしあった). Note that '話し合う' often implies a deeper or more formal discussion compared to casual conversations.
話し掛ける: "Address". The Japanese verb '話し掛ける (はなしかける)' means 'to address' or 'to start a conversation with someone'. It is used when someone initiates a conversation or speaks to another person, often to get their attention or to begin a dialogue. This verb implies an action of reaching out verbally to someone. For example: She addressed the stranger「彼女は見知らぬ人に話し掛けた」(かのじょはみしらぬひとにはなしかけた). He started a conversation with his colleague「彼は同僚に話し掛けた」(かれはどうりょうにはなしかけた). The verb can be used in various contexts, from casual to formal, depending on the situation and the relationship between the speakers.
神話: "Myth". The Japanese noun '神話 (しんわ)' means 'myth'. It refers to traditional stories or legends, often involving gods, supernatural beings, or ancient heroes, that explain cultural beliefs, natural phenomena, or historical events. This word is commonly used in contexts related to folklore, history, or literature. For example: Greek myths are fascinating「ギリシャの神話は面白い」(ギリシャのしんわはおもしろい). This myth explains the origin of the world「この神話は世界の起源を説明する」(このしんわはせかいのきげんをせつめいする). The term can also be used metaphorically to describe widely held but false beliefs or ideas.
話し合い: "Discussion". The Japanese noun '話し合い (はなしあい)' means 'discussion'. It refers to a conversation or dialogue where people exchange ideas, opinions, or information to reach a mutual understanding or decision. This word is often used in formal or collaborative settings, such as meetings, negotiations, or problem-solving scenarios. For example: We had a discussion about the project「プロジェクトについて話し合いをしました」(ぷろじぇくとについてはなしあいをしました). The discussion led to a good solution「話し合いが良い解決策につながりました」(はなしあいがよいかいけつさくにつながりました). Note that '話し合い' emphasizes the mutual exchange of ideas, unlike one-sided conversations.
長話: "Long talk". The Japanese verbal noun '長話 (ながばなし)' refers to a long conversation or a lengthy talk. It is often used to describe a situation where someone talks for an extended period, sometimes unnecessarily or in a way that might be seen as tedious. For example: I got caught in a long talk「長話に巻き込まれた」(ながばなしにまきこまれた). Please avoid long talks during meetings「会議中に長話は避けてください」(かいぎちゅうにながばなしはさけてください). The term can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that the conversation is longer than necessary or desired.
作り話: "Fabrication". The Japanese noun '作り話 (つくりばなし)' refers to a fabricated or made-up story, often implying that it is not true or is intentionally deceptive. It is commonly used to describe tales or narratives that are invented, either for entertainment, deception, or exaggeration. For example: He told a fabrication to avoid trouble「彼はトラブルを避けるために作り話をした」(かれはトラブルをさけるためにつくりばなしをした). Her story sounded like a fabrication「彼女の話は作り話のように聞こえた」(かのじょのはなしはつくりばなしのようにきこえた). This word carries a nuance of something being intentionally false or misleading.
対話: "Dialogue". The Japanese verbal noun '対話 (たいわ)' means 'dialogue'. It refers to a conversation or exchange of ideas between two or more people, often with the intention of understanding or resolving something. This word is commonly used in formal or serious contexts, such as in discussions about politics, philosophy, or interpersonal relationships. For example: We need more dialogue between the two countries「両国の間にもっと対話が必要だ」(りょうこくのあいだにもっとたいわがひつようだ). The teacher encouraged dialogue among the students「先生は生徒たちの対話を促した」(せんせいはせいとたちのたいわをうながした). It can also imply a deeper, meaningful conversation rather than casual small talk.
受話: "Receiver". The Japanese noun '受話 (じゅわ)' refers to the 'receiver' of a telephone. It specifically denotes the part of the phone that you hold to your ear to listen during a call. This term is often used in technical or formal contexts. Example sentences: Please pick up the receiver「受話器を取ってください」(じゅわきをとってください). The receiver is broken「受話器が壊れています」(じゅわきがこわれています). Note that '受話器 (じゅわき)' is a more common term for 'telephone receiver,' but '受話' alone can still be understood in context.
話し言葉: "Spoken language". The Japanese noun '話し言葉 (はなしことば)' refers to 'spoken language' or 'colloquial speech'. It is used to describe the language that is spoken in everyday conversations, as opposed to written language or formal speech. This term is often used in contrast to '書き言葉 (かきことば)', which means 'written language'. For example: Spoken language is different from written language「話し言葉は書き言葉と違う」(はなしことばはかきことばとちがう). In spoken language, people often use contractions「話し言葉では、よく短縮形が使われる」(はなしことばでは、よくたんしゅくけいがつかわれる).
話し声: "Voice". The Japanese noun '話し声 (はなしごえ)' refers to the sound of someone's voice when they are speaking. It specifically emphasizes the auditory aspect of speech rather than the content. This word is often used to describe the tone, volume, or quality of someone's voice during conversation. For example: I heard a soft voice「優しい話し声が聞こえた」(やさしいはなしごえがきこえた). The loud voices of the children could be heard from outside「子供たちの大きな話し声が外から聞こえた」(こどもたちのおおきなはなしごえがそとからきこえた). Note that '話し声' is distinct from '声 (こえ)', which is a more general term for 'voice' and does not necessarily imply speech.
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "は" is read as "ha". The hiragana "な" is read as "na". The hiragana "わ" is read as "wa". And The hiragana "し" is read as "shi".
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