Quick answer
話 is the kanji for "Talk". It is a JLPT N5 kanji. The main reading is はな.す (hanasu). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Talk
Also : Tale · Story
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
13 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The speech radical (言) with an added tongue and voice — a long speech flowing from a person's mouth, words building on words in conversation.
はなし (hanashi) sounds like "ha-nasty" — a nasty gossip who talks too much.
Example Sentences
友達と電話で話しました。
ともだちとでんわではなしました。
I talked with my friend on the phone.
日本語で話してください。
にほんごではなしてください。
Please speak in Japanese.
Vocabulary using 話
Grammar to study at this level
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
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