What's the difference between 話 and 話し? Find it hard to differentiate. Anyone
can answer? Thanks.
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2017-12-17T10:08:44.450
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word-choice
What's the difference between 話 and 話し
It depends on whether you are using it as a proper noun or if the word
contains an action (i.e. used as a verb). When used as a noun, the norm is to
not add し in the end, and vice versa. You also do not include it before case-
marking particles, as these always follow a noun. Some examples:

お話する , this is a noun turned into verb by adding する

作り話 , made-up story, noun

昔話, folk tale, noun

話が上手 , the "speaking" functions as a noun here before the case-marker

話し声 , means speaking voice, but literally refers to how the voice speaks and
is therefore a verb

話し方 , way of talking, once again a verb

話し合い , this is a compound verb (to discuss) changed into a noun, but the
function of 話し here is a verb. I think this should be the same in all compound
verbs that start with 話し
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