Looking up...
語る
kataru
to tell, to narrate, to speak of
彼は戦争の体験を語った。
He spoke of his war experiences.
formalinformal
To tell or narrate a story, experience, or information; to speak about something in detail.
祖母は昔の話を語ってくれた。
My grandmother told me stories from the past.
歴史を語る古い建物
An old building that tells the story of history.
Often used in formal or narrative contexts, such as storytelling, interviews, or historical accounts.
literary
To express or convey a message, idea, or emotion through words or actions.
その絵は愛を語っている。
The painting speaks of love.
Used in a more abstract or poetic sense, often in literature or art criticism.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Use
While '語る' can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is often more formal and narrative in tone. For casual conversation, '話す' (hanasu) is more common.
Gold Rule
Narrative Context
Use '語る' when the focus is on storytelling, historical accounts, or conveying detailed information.
Word Origin
From the verb '語る' (kataru), derived from the noun '語' (koto, meaning 'word' or 'speech').
Usage Notes
Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but often carries a sense of storytelling or conveying important information.
Word Breakdown
語
word, speech
rootる
verb ending (indicates action)
suffix和英辞典