How to Say ‘I speak.’ in Japanese
話します。
hanashi masu
[hah-nah-shee mah-soo]
💬 Usage Tip: Polite present form of [話す]. You can add manner words before it: [笑顔で話します] = “I speak with a smile.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Using polite speech ([〜ます]) is expected in job interviews and also common when speaking to clients and families in care settings.
Phrase Breakdown
話し
hanashi
[hah-nah-shee]
speak (polite stem: "speak" in polite form)
The ます-stem of 話す, used before ます/ました/etc. In interviews, polite speech is expected when talking about your work style.
面接では丁寧に話します。
In the interview, I speak politely.
ます
masu
[mah-soo]
polite verb ending (makes a verb polite)
ます attaches to the verb stem to make polite present/future statements. Very common in caregiver interviews to sound respectful.
利用者さんにゆっくり説明します。
I explain things to the resident slowly.
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