Translation guide
A person who talks a lot, often excessively or annoyingly. Japanese has many colorful expressions for this, ranging from playful to critical.
Describe someone who talks a lot, often more than necessary.
The most common and versatile word for a talkative person. Can be used as a noun or a na-adjective. Slightly negative but often used playfully.
彼女は本当におしゃべりだね。
She's a real chatterbox, isn't she?
うちの母はおしゃべりで、電話が長い。
My mom is a chatterbox and stays on the phone for ages.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a person who talks a lot'. Less idiomatic than おしゃべり but very clear.
あの人はよくしゃべる人だ。
That person is a chatterbox.
Literally 'fond of talking'. Describes someone who enjoys conversation, not necessarily negative.
彼は話し好きで、誰とでもすぐ友達になる。
He's a chatterbox and quickly becomes friends with anyone.
Lightheartedly call someone a chatterbox, often among friends or children.
A cute, personified version of おしゃべり. Often used for children or in a teasing manner.
うちの子はおしゃべりさんで、ずっと話してる。
My kid is such a chatterbox, always talking.
An onomatopoeic adverb that can also be used as a noun for non-stop chatter. Often implies trivial or gossipy talk.
彼女たちはいつもぺちゃくちゃしゃべっている。
They're always chattering away like chatterboxes.
Express annoyance at someone who won't stop talking.
Literally 'mouth is noisy'. A common phrase for someone who talks too much and is irritating.
隣の席の人が口がうるさくて集中できない。
The person next to me is such a chatterbox I can't concentrate.
A more neutral way to say 'talks a lot', but can imply excessiveness.
彼は口数が多いけど、内容は薄い。
He's a chatterbox, but what he says is shallow.
Verb meaning 'to talk too much'. Can be used to describe a chatterbox.
あの人はいつもしゃべりすぎる。
That person is always talking too much (a chatterbox).
Describe someone who is not only talkative but also loud.
Onomatopoeia for noisy chatter, often used for a group but can describe a person who creates a racket.
彼が入ってくると、がやがやとうるさい。
When he comes in, it gets noisy with his chatterbox ways.
Means 'noisy person', often implying talkativeness.
彼女は騒がしい人で、静かにできない。
She's a loud chatterbox who can't be quiet.
Someone who talks a lot, especially about other people's affairs.
Literally 'fond of well-side conferences', referring to gossipy chatter among housewives. Describes someone who loves to gossip.
近所の奥さんたちは井戸端会議好きで、いつも誰かの噂をしている。
The neighborhood ladies are chatterboxes, always gossiping about someone.
Means 'fond of rumors/gossip'. A person who loves to spread stories.
彼は噂好きで、すぐに広める。
He's a gossipy chatterbox who spreads things quickly.
Use strong, colloquial terms for an incessant talker.
Adds 'demon' to おしゃべり, implying an uncontrollable urge to talk. Somewhat dramatic.
あの子はおしゃべり魔で、授業中も止まらない。
That kid is a chatterbox demon, won't stop even during class.
Idiomatic phrase: 'as if born from the mouth first'. Describes someone who seems to have been born talking.
彼は口から先に生まれたような人だ。
He's such a chatterbox, it's like he was born talking.
The English word 'chatterbox' is often used playfully, but direct translations like チャッターボックス are not used in Japanese. Use the expressions above depending on the nuance you want.
おしゃべり can be affectionate or mildly critical, while 口がうるさい is clearly negative and expresses irritation. Choose based on your relationship with the person and the context.