speak
speak — verb
- speakpresent simple I / you / we / they
- speakshe / she / it
- spokepast simple
- spokenpast participle
- speaking-ing form
1. to produce words using your voice; to talk to someone about something, such as g
to produce words using your voice; to talk to someone about something, such as giving information or sharing your thoughts
João speaks very quietly, so people at the back often cannot hear him clearly.
speak + adverb of manner
The doctor asked David to speak clearly so she could check his throat properly.
Felix and Mira spoke on the phone for nearly an hour last night, planning their trip to Japan.
Camille spoke to the librarian about borrowing a book for her history report.
The baby is just learning to speak, so she only says a few simple words.
文法句型
speak + to + noun
speak + about + noun
speak + on + noun
用法筆記
This is the most general sense of 'speak'. For having a conversation, 'talk' is also very common. 'Speak' often feels slightly more formal than 'talk'. Unlike 'say', 'speak' is not usually followed by a that-clause to report what someone said.
常見錯誤
2. to understand and speak a given language well enough to have conversations with
to understand and speak a given language well enough to have conversations with people who also know it
Anjali can speak three languages: Hindi, English, and Japanese.
speak + language
Naoko's grandfather speaks a little Portuguese from his years living in Brazil.
David is learning to speak Mandarin so he can work at a company in Taipei.
Mira speaks French with her mother and English with her father at home.
Do you speak Spanish, Mei? A customer sent us a letter from Mexico, and I cannot read it.
- talk in
less common; 'talk in French' is less natural than 'speak French'
文法句型
speak + language
can/could + speak + language
用法筆記
The direct object is the name of a language. You do not need to add the word 'language' after the name ('speak Chinese', not 'speak Chinese language'). Can is often used before speak to show ability: 'I can speak French'. This sense can also be used without an object when the language is clear from context.
常見錯誤
3. to address a gathering of people by delivering a prepared presentation on a part
to address a gathering of people by delivering a prepared presentation on a particular subject
Professor Chen will speak at the conference about climate change next Tuesday.
speak at/about
The author spoke to a large audience at the book fair in Frankfurt last year.
Dr. Okafor was invited to speak to medical students about heart disease prevention.
Felix spoke at his sister's wedding reception and made everyone laugh with his stories.
The CEO will speak to employees about the company's future plans this Friday afternoon.
- address
more formal; 'The president addressed the nation.'
- lecture
specifically an educational talk, often in a university setting
- give a talk
less formal than 'speak' but means the same thing
文法句型
speak + at + noun
speak + to + noun + about + noun
speak + on + noun
用法筆記
Use 'speak at/about/on' for the topic of the talk, and 'speak to' for the audience. 'Speak' in this sense is more formal than 'talk'. For very short or informal announcements, 'talk' is more natural. A person who gives a speech is called a 'speaker'.
常見錯誤
4. used in fixed expressions such as 'generally speaking' or 'strictly speaking', w
used in fixed expressions such as 'generally speaking' or 'strictly speaking', where an adverb comes before 'speaking' to show the point of view from which a statement is made
Generally speaking, the weather in Taiwan is warm and humid throughout the year.
generally speaking
Strictly speaking, that answer is not completely correct because it leaves out an important detail.
strictly speaking
Technically speaking, the device is not broken; it just needs a fresh set of batteries.
Personally speaking, Ziad prefers to read the novel before he watches the movie.
Roughly speaking, the whole trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes about two hours by train.
文法句型
[adverb] + speaking
speaking + [adverb]ly
用法筆記
This sense is used mainly in fixed phrases with an adverb ending in -ly followed by 'speaking'. The word order is fixed — you cannot say 'speaking generally'. Common examples: generally, strictly, technically, personally, roughly, broadly, legally, historically. The phrase usually appears at the start of a sentence or clause.
常見錯誤
5. to communicate a feeling, quality, or idea through means other than words, such
to communicate a feeling, quality, or idea through means other than words, such as actions, facial expressions, or the way something looks
The silence in the room spoke louder than any words could have expressed that night.
silence speaks louder than words
Her tired eyes and pale skin spoke of many sleepless nights caring for her baby.
speak of [something]
The hand-painted banners and fresh flowers spoke to the team's careful work on the project.
Marta's expression spoke of deep disappointment when she saw her exam results.
The empty streets and boarded-up shops spoke of a town that had fallen on hard times.
文法句型
speak + of + noun
speak + to + noun
speak + louder + than + noun
用法筆記
The subject is usually an abstract thing such as silence, an expression, an action, or a situation — not a person. This sense is common in the fixed saying 'actions speak louder than words' (what people do matters more than what they say). 'Speak of' is used to indicate what quality or feeling is being shown.
常見錯誤
6. to point out someone's mistake or wrongdoing in a serious manner, especially whe
to point out someone's mistake or wrongdoing in a serious manner, especially when you are in a position of authority over that person
The coach spoke to João after the match about his unsportsmanlike behaviour on the field.
speak to [someone] about [wrongdoing]
Sari's grandmother spoke to her about lying to her parents about where she had been.
The head teacher spoke to the students who had been fighting in the school corridor.
Anjali's manager spoke to her about arriving late to team meetings every morning.
- praise
to express approval rather than pointing out faults
- compliment
to say something nice about someone's behaviour
文法句型
speak + to + noun + about + noun
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English. In American English, 'talk to' is often used for this meaning instead. The person who speaks is usually in a position of authority — a parent, teacher, manager, or coach. Do not confuse this sense with the neutral 'speak to someone' (sense 1), which just means having a conversation.