Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Speaking" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "speaking", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そういえば
そういえば (sō ieba)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
披肝瀝胆
ひかんれきたん (hikanrekitan)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "speaking" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そういえば and 披肝瀝胆.
In Japanese, そういえば (そういえば (sō ieba)) is typically associated with "Speaking of which; That reminds me" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents An informal phrase used to suddenly remember something related to the current topic of conversation or to bring up a new, but related, topic..
On the other hand, 披肝瀝胆 (ひかんれきたん (hikanrekitan)) maps to "Speaking with utmost sincerity" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "speaking" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "そういえば"
そういえば、田中さんは元気ですか。
Speaking of which, how is Tanaka-san?
Bilingual Context for "披肝瀝胆"
私は披肝瀝胆に興味があります。
I am interested in Speaking with utmost sincerity.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ 、田中さんは元気ですか。" (Meaning: "Speaking of which, how is Tanaka-san?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そういえば" fits here because it means "Speaking of which; That reminds me" in the context of: "Speaking of which, how is Tanaka-san?". "披肝瀝胆" represents "Speaking with utmost sincerity".