speak

IPA/spiːk/
KK[spˈik]IPA/spiːk/

speak — 動詞

  • 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

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A1
釋義

說話

用言語表達聲音或進行對話

to produce words using your voice; to talk to someone about something, such as giving information or sharing your thoughts

例句

João speaks very quietly, so people at the back often cannot hear him clearly.

João 說話的聲音很小，坐在教室後排的人經常聽不清楚。

speak + adverb of manner

The doctor asked David to speak clearly so she could check his throat properly.

醫生請 David 說清楚一點，這樣她才能好好檢查他的喉嚨。

同義詞
  • talk

    more casual and common in everyday conversation; 'speak' is slightly more formal

  • say

    used for reporting specific words or statements, not for the general act of speaking

  • utter

    more formal and less common; focuses on making sounds rather than having a conversation

反義詞
  • be silent

    to not speak at all

  • listen

    to pay attention to sound rather than producing it

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

❌He spoke that he was tired.
✅He said that he was tired.
💡'speak' is not used to report a specific statement; use 'say' instead.
❌I will speak him about the plan.
✅I will speak to him about the plan.
💡'speak' needs a preposition (to/with) before the person you are talking to.

2. to understand and speak a given language well enough to have conversations with

2.動詞及物A1
釋義

說（語言）

能使用某種語言溝通

to understand and speak a given language well enough to have conversations with people who also know it

例句

Anjali can speak three languages: Hindi, English, and Japanese.

Anjali 會說三種語言：印地語、英語和日語。

speak + language

Naoko's grandfather speaks a little Portuguese from his years living in Brazil.

Naoko 的祖父會說一點葡萄牙語，這是在巴西生活那幾年學的。

同義詞
  • 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

❌I speak Chinese language.
✅I speak Chinese.
💡do not add 'language' after the name of the language.
❌I am speaking English.' (when describing your ability)
✅I speak English.
💡use the simple present, not the continuous, to describe a general ability.

3. to address a gathering of people by delivering a prepared presentation on a part

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

演講

對聽眾發表正式談話

to address a gathering of people by delivering a prepared presentation on a particular subject

例句

Professor Chen will speak at the conference about climate change next Tuesday.

陳教授將在下週二的研討會上演講，主題是氣候變遷。

speak at/about

The author spoke to a large audience at the book fair in Frankfurt last year.

那位作家去年在法蘭克福書展上對大批聽眾發表演講。

同義詞
  • 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

❌He spoke to the meeting about sales.' (sounds odd)
✅He spoke at the meeting about sales.
💡use 'at' for the event/occasion, not 'to'.

4. used in fixed expressions such as 'generally speaking' or 'strictly speaking', w

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

說來

與副詞連用，表示陳述的觀點

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

例句

Generally speaking, the weather in Taiwan is warm and humid throughout the year.

一般來說，台灣的天氣全年溫暖潮濕。

generally speaking

Strictly speaking, that answer is not completely correct because it leaves out an important detail.

嚴格來說，那個答案並不完整，因為它漏掉了一個重要的細節。

strictly speaking

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

❌Speaking generally, the plan sounds good.
✅Generally speaking, the plan sounds good.
💡the adverb must come before 'speaking' in this fixed pattern.

5. to communicate a feeling, quality, or idea through means other than words, such

5.動詞不及物B2
釋義

顯示；流露

不用言語表達出某種意思或情感

to communicate a feeling, quality, or idea through means other than words, such as actions, facial expressions, or the way something looks

例句

The silence in the room spoke louder than any words could have expressed that night.

房間裡的沉默比任何言語都更能表達那晚的一切。

silence speaks louder than words

Her tired eyes and pale skin spoke of many sleepless nights caring for her baby.

她疲憊的眼神和蒼白的皮膚透露著許多個照顧嬰兒的不眠之夜。

speak of [something]

同義詞
  • express

    more general; can be used for both verbal and non-verbal communication

  • convey

    slightly more formal; to communicate an idea or feeling

  • reveal

    focuses on making something known that was not obvious before

反義詞
  • hide

    to keep feelings or qualities from being seen

  • conceal

    more formal than hide; to cover up deliberately

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

❌His loud voice spoke of his anger.' (voice is a direct verbal expression — better to use 'showed')
✅His clenched fists spoke of his anger.
💡the fist-clenching is non-verbal, which fits the sense.

6. to point out someone's mistake or wrongdoing in a serious manner, especially whe

6.動詞及物B2
釋義

責備；訓話

嚴肅指出某人的錯誤行為

to point out someone's mistake or wrongdoing in a serious manner, especially when you are in a position of authority over that person

例句

The coach spoke to João after the match about his unsportsmanlike behaviour on the field.

比賽結束後，教練針對 João 在場上違反運動精神的行為訓了他一頓。

speak to [someone] about [wrongdoing]

Sari's grandmother spoke to her about lying to her parents about where she had been.

Sari 的祖母對她說謊騙爸媽去處這件事，好好地教訓了她一番。

同義詞
  • tell off

    less formal and more direct; 'My mother told me off for being late.'

  • scold

    slightly old-fashioned but still used; focuses on angry correction

  • reprimand

    formal, often used in official or workplace contexts

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌My friend spoke to me about my mistake.' (when meaning a calm chat between equals) — this could be misinterpreted as sense 1.
✅My boss spoke to me about my mistake.
💡works because the boss has authority.