talk

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is わ, and the kun readings are はなす, はなし. It has 13 strokes and relates to speaking or referring to a story or matter.
• Basic usage: 話す is read はなす, and 話 is read はなし.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 話す and 話
  • 話す means tell or talk. It is a verb read はなす for speaking or telling something.
  • 困ったことがあれば、一人で悩まず先生に話してね。 means “If something is troubling you, do not worry alone; tell your teacher.”
  • 話 means story or matter. It is a noun read はなし for a story or a matter to be discussed.
  • 祖父から子どもの頃の話を聞いた。 means “My grandfather told me stories about his childhood.”