JAPANESE VERB

はなす

話す

to speak

Conjugation

Tap any form to hear it. The part that changes is in colour.

Say it firstHide the forms and test yourself

now, habits, and what is to come

Form	Polite	Plain
AffirmativeI speak
NegativeI don’t speak

finished actions

Form	Polite	Plain
AffirmativeI spoke
NegativeI didn’t speak

て形 · joining actions, “doing”, requests

可能形 · “can”

Form	Polite	Plain
AffirmativeI can speak
NegativeI can’t speak

たい形 · “want to”

Form	Polite	Plain
AffirmativeI want to speak
NegativeI don’t want to speak

意向形 · “let’s”, “I’ll”

Form	Polite	Plain
Let’slet’s speak

条件形 · “if” and “when”

命令形 · from gentle to blunt

受身形・使役形 · “is done”, “make someone do”

Form	Polite	Plain
PassiveI am spoken
CausativeI make someone speak

One sentence for each tense, the way people say it.

Present and future

さとうさんはゆっくり はなします。

Mrs. Sato speaks slowly.
Past

ゆうべ、ははとでんわで はなしました。

Last night I talked with my mother on the phone.
Te-form

もうすこしおおきなこえで はなして ください。

Please speak a little louder.
Potential

ベンさんはフランスごも はなせます か。

Can you speak French too, Ben?
Want to

いつかにほんじんのように はなしたい です。

One day I want to speak like a Japanese person.
Volitional

きょうはにほんごだけで はなそう。

Let's speak only Japanese today.
Conditional

ゆっくり はなせば、わかりますよ。

If you speak slowly, I'll understand.
Commands and requests

じゅぎょうちゅうは はなさないで ください。

Please don't talk during the lesson.
Passive and causative

せんせいはせいとにえいごで はなさせます。

The teacher has the students speak in English.