話はなし言こと葉ば

は

な

し

こ

と

ば

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

spoken language; colloquial speech

Refers to language as it is naturally spoken, including colloquial expressions, contractions, and informal grammar. Often contrasted with 書き言葉 (written language).

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉を話はなし言こと葉ばで言いうto say something in spoken/colloquial language
その表ひょう現げんは話はなし言こと葉ばで言いうと変かわる。
That expression changes when said in spoken language.
話はなし言こと葉ばと書かき言こと葉ばを区く別べつするto distinguish between spoken and written language
日本にほん語ごでは話はなし言こと葉ばと書かき言こと葉ばを区く別べつすることが大たい切せつだ。

Kanji

話tale, talk
言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe

Related words

口こう語ごN1
口語 is the more technical, linguistics-oriented term for spoken language, whereas 話し言葉 is the everyday word used in general contexts.

Opposites

書かき言こと葉ばN1
話し言葉 is language as it is naturally spoken, while 書き言葉 is the more formal, structured language used in writing.

Built from

話はなす+言こと葉ば

Written forms

話はなし言こと葉ばUsage57%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
話はなしことばUsage40%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, sometimes used for clarity or in educational contexts.
話はなし言こと葉ばUsage1%
Less common variant; the okurigana し is omitted.
はなしことばUsage1%

Etymology

Compound of 話し (hanashi, 'speaking', the continuative form of 話す) + 言葉 (kotoba, 'language, word').

In Japanese, it's important to distinguish between spoken and written language.