A1 Collocation ニュートラル 3分で読める

よく話す

well speak

直訳: often/well + speak

Use it to describe a chatty friend or someone who spoke a lot during a specific event.

15秒でわかる

  • Describes someone who speaks frequently or is very chatty.
  • Combines 'yoku' (often/well) and 'hanasu' (to speak).
  • Generally neutral but can be playful among close friends.

意味

This phrase describes someone who is talkative or speaks frequently. It is like saying a friend 'has the gift of gab' or just has a lot to say.

主な例文

3 / 6
1

Describing a child

うちの子は最近、よく話すようになりました。

My child has started talking a lot lately.

🤝
2

Catching up with a friend

昨日の夜は、カフェでよく話したね。

We talked a lot at the cafe last night, didn't we?

😊
3

Professional observation

社長はビジョンについてよく話します。

The CEO speaks frequently about the vision.

💼
🌍

文化的背景

In Japan, the concept of 'Ma' (negative space/silence) is highly valued, making a talkative person stand out. While older generations might prefer brevity, younger generations view 'yoku hanasu' as a sign of being friendly and approachable. In regions like Kansai, being a good talker is considered a major social asset.

💡

Yoku vs. Jouzu

Don't confuse 'yoku hanasu' (talks often) with 'jouzu ni hanasu' (talks skillfully). If they are good at public speaking, use 'jouzu'!

⚠️

Watch the Boss

Avoid calling your boss 'yoku hanasu' directly. It can imply they talk too much or are inefficient. Use it for peers or juniors instead.

15秒でわかる

  • Describes someone who speaks frequently or is very chatty.
  • Combines 'yoku' (often/well) and 'hanasu' (to speak).
  • Generally neutral but can be playful among close friends.

What It Means

yoku hanasu is a simple, common way to describe someone talkative. The word yoku usually means 'well' or 'often' in Japanese. When paired with hanasu (to speak), it means someone speaks frequently. It is not necessarily a bad thing to say about someone. It just means they have a lot to share. Think of that one friend who never stops for a breath.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase as a simple verb sentence. Just put the person's name first, then add the phrase. For example, Tanaka-san wa yoku hanasu means Tanaka talks a lot. To make it polite, change hanasu to hanashimasu. You can also use it to describe a past event. Kinou wa yoku hanashita means 'We talked a lot yesterday.' It works for people, animals, or even AI assistants!

When To Use It

Use this when describing a friend's personality to someone else. It is great for people-watching at a busy cafe or party. If you are on a date, you might say it playfully. 'You're talking a lot today, are you excited?' It is also useful for parents describing their growing children. 'My daughter started school and now she talks a lot.' It feels natural in almost any casual conversation.

When NOT To Use It

Be careful using this with your boss or superiors. Calling a high-ranking person 'talkative' can sound a bit rude. It might imply they are wasting time or being noisy. If someone is being annoying, yoku hanasu is too nice. In that case, people might use urusai (noisy/annoying). Also, don't confuse it with speaking a language well. For skills, use jouzu instead of yoku.

Cultural Background

Japan has a famous saying: 'Silence is gold.' Traditionally, being quiet was seen as a sign of wisdom. However, modern Japanese culture is much more expressive and social. yoku hanasu people are often seen as 'genki' (energetic). They are the ones who keep the party atmosphere alive. In Osaka, being a 'talker' is almost a required skill! People there value humor and fast-paced conversation very highly.

Common Variations

If you want to sound more casual, use yoku shaberu. shaberu is a more 'chatty' or 'gossipy' version of speaking. For a very formal setting, use yoku o-hanashi ni narimasu. If someone talks too much, add sugi to get hanashi-sugi. That means 'over-talking' or 'talking too much.' You can also use mukuchi for the exact opposite (quiet). It is fun to see where people fall on this scale.

使い方のコツ

The phrase is neutral but leans slightly informal. In polite company, always use the 'masu' form: `yoku hanashimasu`. Avoid using it for social superiors as it can sound like you are judging their behavior.

💡

Yoku vs. Jouzu

Don't confuse 'yoku hanasu' (talks often) with 'jouzu ni hanasu' (talks skillfully). If they are good at public speaking, use 'jouzu'!

⚠️

Watch the Boss

Avoid calling your boss 'yoku hanasu' directly. It can imply they talk too much or are inefficient. Use it for peers or juniors instead.

💬

The Osaka Factor

In Osaka, being called someone who 'yoku hanasu' is often a high compliment, as it means you are funny and engaging.

例文

6
#1 Describing a child
🤝

うちの子は最近、よく話すようになりました。

My child has started talking a lot lately.

Used here to show developmental progress in a child.

#2 Catching up with a friend
😊

昨日の夜は、カフェでよく話したね。

We talked a lot at the cafe last night, didn't we?

Refers to a specific duration of time spent talking.

#3 Professional observation
💼

社長はビジョンについてよく話します。

The CEO speaks frequently about the vision.

Uses the polite form 'hanashimasu' for a professional setting.

#4 Playful teasing
😄

今日は珍しくよく話すね!

You're talking a lot today, which is rare!

Used when someone who is usually quiet is suddenly chatty.

#5 Describing a personality
🤝

彼は明るくて、よく話す人です。

He is a bright and talkative person.

A standard way to describe someone's social character.

#6 Deep conversation
💭

彼女は亡くなったお母さんのことをよく話した。

She talked a lot about her late mother.

Used to describe sharing memories or deep feelings.

自分をテスト

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'My friend talks a lot.'

私の友達は___話します。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: よく (yoku)

While 'totemo' means 'very', 'yoku' is the standard collocation with 'hanasu' to mean talkative.

Make the phrase 'talked a lot' in the past tense.

昨日はたくさん___。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 話した (hanashita)

'Hanashita' is the past tense of 'hanasu', used for things that already happened.

🎉 スコア: /2

ビジュアル学習ツール

Ways to Say Someone Talks

Casual/Slang

Very chatty/gossipy

よくしゃべる (yoku shaberu)

Neutral

Standard talkative

よく話す (yoku hanasu)

Formal

Respectful observation

よくお話しになります (yoku o-hanashi ni narimasu)

When to use 'Yoku Hanasu'

よく話す
🎉

At a party

Describing the life of the party.

👶

Parenting

Talking about a toddler's new words.

First Date

Breaking the ice or being nervous.

💼

Job Interview

Describing your own communication skills.

よくある質問

10 問

In this context, it primarily means 'often' or 'frequently.' While yoku can mean 'well,' saying someone yoku hanasu focuses on the quantity of their speech.

Not usually. It is a neutral observation. However, if said with a sigh, it might imply they are a bit tiring to listen to.

Yes! You can say Kincho suru to yoku hanashimasu which means 'I talk a lot when I get nervous.'

hanasu is more standard and formal, while shaberu is casual and implies chatting or gossiping.

You can use hanashi-sugi or say shaberi-sugiru to indicate they have crossed the line into being annoying.

Yes, but usually in the polite form yoku hanashimasu. It might describe a colleague who is very communicative.

Usually, no. For a presentation, you would describe the content or the skill (jouzu) rather than just the frequency of speaking.

The opposite is amari hanasanai (doesn't talk much) or the noun mukuchi (a person of few words).

No. To say someone speaks Japanese well, you must say Nihongo ga jouzu desu.

Yes! If you have a talkative cat or a parrot, you can say Kono tori wa yoku hanasu (This bird talks a lot).

関連フレーズ

話し好き

Someone who loves talking (hanashizuki)

口数が多い

Talkative / many words (kuchikazu ga ooi)

無口

Quiet / person of few words (mukuchi)

話しすぎる

To talk too much (hanashi-sugiru)

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