言う (いう) is the most basic and neutral. It simply means to put something into words. It doesn't require a listener. The focus is on the verbalised words themselves.
これは日本語で何と言いますか？ = "How do you say this in Japanese?"
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話す (はなす) shifts the focus toward communication. It normally assumes some kind of interaction or listener. It's what you use for speaking a language (日本語を話す) and for having a conversation (先生と話した).
少し日本語を話せます = "I can speak a little Japanese."
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しゃべる is basically a casual version of
話す. It means to talk or chat, but it carries a lighter, sometimes slightly negative nuance. You wouldn't use it in formal situations.
彼はよくしゃべる = "He talks a lot" or "He chats a lot" (can be used in a negative sense).
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語る (かたる) feels heavier and more deliberate. It's used when someone recounts something in a structured way—a story, a life experience, a belief system. It often has a literary, emotional, or thematic depth to it.
Both of these mean "I talk to my friend(s) about music", but the one using
語る implies a more deliberate, deeper conversation.
友達と音楽について語る。
友達と音楽について話す。
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述べる (のべる) is formal and often appears in writing, speeches, or official contexts. It's commonly used with things like
意見 or
考え. It means to state or express something in a structured, often objective way.
You wouldn't normally use it in casual conversation with friends; it feels academic/formal.
自分の意見を述べた = "I expressed my opinion." (formal/structured)
自分の意見を言った = "I said my opinion." (casual/spoken)
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Sources:
[ja.hinative.com]|
[www.youtube.com]|
[japanese.stackexchange.com]