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For example in this phrase:

> 話すネタはもっていそう

I translate it into "he might have some stories", but I have the impression it
has many other meanings.
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2011-06-29T04:29:00.280
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2011-06-29T05:15:44.067
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question
usage translation
What is the meaning and usage of ネタ?
ネタ alone is a bit vague: "stories", but usually in the sense of jokes or funny
anecdotes. I'd say it has some connotation of "dirty" (or at least slightly
off-colour) jokes/anecdotes, but that's more a matter of usage than intrinsic
meaning.

ネタ is most often encountered in these two expressions:

  * 下ネタ【しもねた】(or 下のネタ): lit. "jokes about down below", i.e. "dirty jokes"

  * ネタばれ: "spoilers"...

You can probably encounter it in other expressions, where it carries the
meaning of "joke". E.g.:

> いい加減パンツネタはやめとけよな → Quit with the panty jokes!

In your example, I would translate it by "He seems to have some funny stories"
or "good stories" etc.
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2011-06-29T04:50:42.350
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2011-06-29T04:50:42.350
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ネタ is a semi-slang term that comes from reversing the characters of "seed" タネ.
It's a word with many uses, but in all uses it denotes the "seed" of the idea
of a work, it's essential core.

In cooking, the ネタ of a dish is the key ingredient that makes a particular
dish interesting. For example, the ネタ of a piece of sushi is the non-rice part
of the sushi.

In a magic trick, the ネタ of a trick is the actual trickery that makes the
illusion work (the part that Penn and Teller reveal).

In a joke, the ネタ is the core subject and punchline, before you pad them out
with a story.

In news articles, the ネタ is the raw fact being reported (e.g. "oil rig
explodes") before being fleshed out with prose.

In your example of 「話すネタ」, ネタ means topic of conversation.
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2011-06-29T05:15:44.067
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answer