Hanashikakeru is the Japanese verb for ‘to talk to’, explained

What does “hanashikakeru” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “hanashikakeru” to mean ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “hanashikakeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #1: how to say “talk to” in Japanese
• Hanashikakenai: the nai form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #2: how to say “not talk to” in Japanese
• Hanashikakeyou: the volitional form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #3: how to say “let’s talk to” in Japanese
• Hanashikakemasu: the masu form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #4: how to say “talk to” politely in Japanese
• Hanashikaketa: the ta form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #5: how to say “talked to” in Japanese
• Hanashikakete: the te form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #6: how to say “please talk to” in Japanese
• Hanashikakereba: the ba form of “hanashikakeru”
  • Example #7: how to say “if talk to” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “hanashikakeru”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of “hanashikakeru”.

• hanashikakeru – 話しかける (はなしかける) : a verb meaning ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese.

Japanese native speakers often use this verb when they start a conversation with somebody.

The definition and meanings are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “talk to” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “watashi” to make the subject in the sentence.
• mainichi – 毎日 (まいにち) : an adverb meaning ‘every day’ in Japanese.
• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say in which direction an action goes. In the example, this is used after “kanojo” to say to whom the speaker talks.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “ni”, to have the object.

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “hanashikakeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “hanashikakenai”.

Hanashikakenai: the nai form of “hanashikakeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hanashikakenai”.

• hanashikakenai – 話しかけない (はなしかけない) : the nai form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘not to talk to’ or ‘not to speak to’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hanashikakenai” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikake – 話しかけ (はなしかけ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikakenai” is literally the nai form of “hanashikakeru” and means ‘not to talk to’ or ‘not to speak to’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “not talk to” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to talk to’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.

Hanashikakeyou: the volitional form of “hanashikakeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hanashikakeyou”.

• hanashikakeyou – 話しかけよう (はなしかけよう) : the volitional form of “hanashikakeru”, which expresses volition to talk to or speak to somebody.

Grammatically, “hanashikakeyou” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikake – 話しかけ (はなしかけ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
• you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikakeyou” is literally the volitional form of “hanashikakeru” and expresses volition to talk to or speak to somebody. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #3: how to say “let’s talk to” in Japanese

Below is the new word used in the example sentence.

• kon’ya – 今夜 (こんや) : a noun meaning ‘tonight’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “tonight” in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s talk to” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.

Hanashikakemasu: the masu form of “hanashikakeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hanashikakemasu”.

• hanashikakemasu – 話しかけます (はなしかけます) : the masu form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ politely in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hanashikakemasu” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikake – 話しかけ (はなしかけ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikakemasu” is literally the masu form of “hanashikakeru” and means ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #4: how to say “talk to” politely in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• tokidoki – 時々 (ときどき) : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘sometimes’ in Japanese.
• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “talk to” politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.

Hanashikaketa: the ta form of “hanashikakeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hanashikaketa”.

• hanashikaketa – 話しかけた (はなしかけた) : the ta form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘talked to’, ‘spoke to’, or such in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hanashikaketa” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikake – 話しかけ (はなしかけ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikaketa” is literally the ta form of “hanashikakeru” and means ‘talked to’, ‘spoke to’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.

Example #5: how to say “talked to” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kyou – 今日 (きょう) : a noun meaning ‘today’ in Japanese. This can also work as an adverb almost anywhere in a sentence. In the example, this works as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence to say “today” in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “kare” to make the subject in the sentence.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikaketa”. When we want to use the past tense form of “hanashikakeru”, this ta form is the best option.

Hanashikakete: the te form of “hanashikakeru”

Below are the definition and meanings of “hanashikakete”.

• hanashikakete – 話しかけて (はなしかけて) : the te form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hanashikakete” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikake – 話しかけ (はなしかけ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikakete” is literally the te form of “hanashikakeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “hanashikakete” is very useful when we want to use “hanashikakeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #6: how to say “please talk to” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• ano – あの : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing not close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “josei” to say “that woman” in Japanese.
• josei – 女性 (じょせい) : a noun meaning ‘woman’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “hanashikakete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “hanashikakeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.

Hanashikakereba: the ba form of “hanashikakeru”

Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “hanashikakereba”.

• hanashikakereba – 話しかければ (はなしかければ) : the ba form of “hanashikakeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese.

Grammatically, “hanashikakereba” consists of the following two parts:

• hanashikakere – 話しかけれ (はなしかけれ) : one conjugation of “hanashikakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
• ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.

From these two parts, we can understand that “hanashikakereba” is literally the ba form of “hanashikakeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “hanashikakereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.

Example #7: how to say “if talk to” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• tanoshiku – 楽しく (たのしく) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, “tanoshii“, which means ‘fun’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• hanaseru – 話せる (はなせる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can talk’ or ‘to be able to talk’ in Japanese.
• yo – よ : a sentence-ending particle used to state the fact or idea in a soft way. As the definition suggests, this is used at the end of the example sentence to state the speaker’s idea softly.

This is a typical usage of “hanashikakereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “kanojo ni hanashikakereba”, which means ‘if you talk to her’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “hanashikakeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• hanashikakeru – 話しかける (はなしかける) : a verb meaning ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese.
• hanashikakenai – 話しかけない (はなしかけない) : the nai form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘not to talk to’ or ‘not to speak to’ in Japanese.
• hanashikakeyou – 話しかけよう (はなしかけよう) : the volitional form of “hanashikakeru”, which expresses volition to talk to or speak to somebody.
• hanashikakemasu – 話しかけます (はなしかけます) : the masu form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ politely in Japanese.
• hanashikaketa – 話しかけた (はなしかけた) : the ta form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘talked to’, ‘spoke to’, or such in Japanese.
• hanashikakete – 話しかけて (はなしかけて) : the te form of “hanashikakeru”, which means ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese. When we want to use “hanashikakeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
• hanashikakereba – 話しかければ (はなしかければ) : the ba form of “hanashikakeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to talk to’ or ‘to speak to’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.