what is the difference between 語ります and 話します?

3 comments

1. かたる is to relate an incident or discuss a topic. It suggests extended speech on the same topic, unfolding a plot, making a case, or describing a situation.

   はなす can be those, but can also be to have a conversation (on diverse topics), or simply to speak. In the potential form, only はなす can be used for “can/can’t speak” (either a specific language, or capable/incapable of speech).

   いう (言う) is to say a specific word, sentence, or single statement. This is the only speaking verb that can be used to say “can’t say” in the sense of knowing but being unable to voice it for any reason from having a signed NDA to psychological trauma. (Well, ‘only’ may be an exaggeration, I think you *can* use はなせない, but it’s *almost* always いえない. It’s never かたれない).

   (I will note, most ‘what’s the difference’ questions will get kicked out as ‘look it up in a dictionary or take it to r/translator’, but I think this *particular* question by chance happens to be an important and difficult usage distinction that dictionaries do not really clarify).

2. Isnt 語る something like “narrate”?

3. 語る is more like “story telling”. kind of theatrical.
   話す is common “talk/speak”