噺
talk, (kokuji)
Readings
On'yomi
—
Kun'yomi
- はなし
Meaning
噺 centers on spoken narrative: talking, telling a story, or a tale. It is a Japanese-coined character (kokuji) specifically for 'story' or 'talk'.
Most common words using 噺
- 噺家はなしか
professional comic (rakugo) storyteller
- 三題噺さんだいばなし
performing a rakugo story on the spot based on three topics given by the audience; impromptu rakugo story based on three subjects
- 落とし噺おとしばなし
rakugo
- 軽口噺かるくちばなし
humorous story with a punch line
- 辻噺つじばなし
stories (esp. war stories) or lectures told by someone near a road or temple while begging for money
Study
Etymology
噺 is a kokuji (Japanese-coined character) combining 口 (mouth) with 新 (new), likely to express 'new talk' or 'story'. The exact historical development is uncertain, but it is a relatively modern creation.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 speaking something new 新: a fresh story or talk.
Reading mnemonic
For はなし, picture a mouth 口 telling a new 新 story that makes everyone laugh: 'Ha! Nashi!' (はなし) — the story is so funny it sounds like 'ha-nashi'.