Translation guide
How to express 'talk about' in Japanese, covering general discussion, mentioning a topic, and specific nuances like gossiping or lecturing.
To have a conversation about something; the most general meaning.
The standard way to say 'talk about (a topic)'. について marks the topic.
昨日、将来について話した。
Yesterday, we talked about the future.
Let's talk about that problem.
More casual; 'talk about (something/someone)'. のこと adds a nuance of 'things about' or 'matters concerning'.
彼女のことを話していたんだ。
We were talking about her.
To talk about something at length, often with emotion or in a storytelling manner. More literary/formal.
彼は自分の経験を語った。
He talked about his experiences.
To briefly refer to something in conversation.
To touch upon a topic; to mention briefly.
会議でその点に触れた。
I touched on that point in the meeting.
Formal way to say 'mention' or 'refer to'.
報告書はその問題について言及している。
The report mentions that issue.
To talk about someone, often negatively, when they are not present.
To gossip or spread rumors about someone.
近所の人たちが彼のことを噂している。
The neighbors are talking about him.
To badmouth someone behind their back.
彼女はいつも人の陰口を言っている。
She's always talking about people behind their backs.
To give a talk or presentation about something.
To give a lecture or formal talk on a topic.
教授が環境問題について講演した。
The professor talked about environmental issues.
A more general phrase for giving a talk or presentation.
今日は日本の文化について話をします。
Today I'm going to talk about Japanese culture.
In Japanese, the particle を can sometimes be used directly with 話す when the object is the content of the talk, like 経験を話す (talk about one's experience). However, について is safer for general topics.
経験を話す
talk about one's experience