How to Say ‘To speak’ in Japanese
話します
hanashi masu
[hah-nah-shee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [話します] is polite present. Add adverbs: [はっきり話します] (speak clearly), [ゆっくり話します].
🇯🇵 In Japan: Clarity + politeness is the ideal combo in Japanese workplaces—especially when reporting to seniors.
Phrase Breakdown
話し
hanashi
[hah-nah-shee]
speak (stem, as in 話します)
Verb stem of 話す used to make the polite form. In interviews, you’ll often say how you “speak” to users/families.
私はご家族にも分かりやすく話します。
I speak in a way that family members can also understand.
ます
masu
[mahss]
(polite verb ending)
Polite ending for formal speech; expected in job interviews and workplace settings.
私は報告も連絡も丁寧に話します。
I communicate reports and updates politely.
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