How to Say ‘Being able to talk’ in Japanese
話しできて
hanashi deki te
[hah-nah-shee deh-kee teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [できて] often means "being able to do" something, not just "doing" it. In networking Japanese, [お話しできて] feels like "I'm glad I had the chance to speak with you."
Phrase Breakdown
話し
hanashi
[hah-nah-shee]
talk; speaking
Comes from 話す or 話, and here relates to speaking or having a conversation.
少し話しできてよかったです。
I'm glad we could talk a little.
でき
deki
[deh-kee]
can do; be able to
From できる, meaning to be able to do something. Here it means 'be able to talk.'
直接話しできて安心しました。
I felt relieved that we could talk directly.
て
te
[teh]
and; having done
Te-form ending that connects to what follows, as in 'being able to talk, ...'
話しできてうれしかったです。
I was happy to be able to talk.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager