Translation guide
Describes someone who talks a lot, fluently, and often with ease. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives and phrases that emphasize talkativeness, fluency, or a smooth flow of words.
Describing a person who speaks a lot, often in a friendly or sociable way.
A common, neutral-to-casual word for someone who is talkative or chatty. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼女はとてもおしゃべりだ。
She is very talkative.
おしゃべりな人と一緒にいると楽しい。
It's fun to be with a talkative person.
Literally 'fond of talking'. A more neutral term for someone who enjoys conversation.
彼は話好きで、いつも誰かと話している。
He is voluble and always talking with someone.
A set phrase meaning 'talkative' or 'having a lot to say'. Slightly more formal than おしゃべり.
彼は口数が多い方ではない。
He is not a very voluble person.
Emphasizing the smooth, flowing quality of speech, often with eloquence.
Means 'fluent' and is often used for language ability, but can also describe smooth, flowing speech in general.
彼の流暢なスピーチに感動した。
I was impressed by his voluble speech.
A somewhat literary phrase meaning 'eloquent' or 'having a fluent tongue'. Implies clear, pleasant speech.
彼は弁舌さわやかな政治家だ。
He is a voluble politician.
Describing someone who talks too much, often in a way that is tiresome or boring.
Literally 'noisy mouth'. Used for someone who talks too much or is annoyingly talkative.
あの人は口がうるさいから、あまり話したくない。
That person is so voluble, I don't really want to talk to them.
A noun meaning 'long-winded speech' or 'harangue'. Often used in the phrase 長広舌を振るう (to launch into a long speech).
社長の長広舌にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with the president's voluble speeches.
A somewhat literary term for 'talkativeness' or 'loquacity', often with a negative nuance of being overly talkative.
おしゃべり is more casual and often implies a cheerful, chatty nature. 口数が多い is more neutral and simply states that someone talks a lot, without necessarily implying enjoyment. おしゃべり can also be used as a noun meaning 'chat' or 'chatter'.
彼女はおしゃべりで、いつも笑っている。
She is voluble and always laughing.
彼は口数が多いが、内容は薄い。
He is voluble, but what he says lacks substance.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'voluble' in all contexts. Translating it directly as 饒舌 or 多弁 may sound overly literary or formal. Choose the expression that best fits the specific nuance (talkative, fluent, or long-winded).
彼女はお酒を少し飲むと、とてもおしゃべりになった。
She became voluble after a few drinks.
話好きなガイドが話で楽しませてくれた。
The voluble guide entertained us with stories.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to speak fluently and without hesitation', like water flowing down a standing board. Often used in the phrase 立て板に水のよう.
彼の説明は立て板に水のようだった。
His explanation was voluble and effortless.
彼の饒舌な態度が嫌われることもある。
His voluble manner can sometimes be off-putting.