Kanji · N5 · 13 strokes

/ to speak

Kanji for to speak or to talk.

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Readings

TypeReadingNotes
On (音)Sino-Japanese readings — common in compounds.
Kun (訓)はな.します、はなしNative Japanese readings — common standalone or with okurigana.
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Meaning

話 carries the meaning to speak or to talk.

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How to write 話

Trace 話 on the canvas at the top of the page. The animation below plays the stroke order — watch how each numbered stroke is drawn, then trace along yourself.

How to write 話
Animated stroke order — 13 strokes
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Common compounds with 話

はなしますto speak / to talk
はなしspeech
でんわtelephone
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話 in context

やまださんはいまだれとはなしていますか。

Who is Yamada-san speaking with now?

あのひとのはなしはおもしろくないです。

That person's story is not interesting.

りんださんはいまでんわをかけています。

Linda is making a phone call right now.

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Printable practice sheet

Print this worksheet to practice writing 話 by hand — the top row shows the stroke order to trace, then fill the blank squares.

Printable kanji practice sheet for 話 (to speak) — trace the stroke order, then fill the grid
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