spoken
spoken — 動詞
1. the form of 'speak' used with 'have', 'has', or 'had' for completed actions, or
說過
speak 的過去分詞形式
the form of 'speak' used with 'have', 'has', or 'had' for completed actions, or with 'be' in passive sentences.
Hamza has spoken with every department head, so the plan is ready to go.
Hamza 已經跟每個部門主管談過，所以計畫可以開始進行了。
present perfect with 'has' + 'spoken to [someone]'
The elderly woman had not spoken a single word since the accident.
那位老婦人從車禍後就沒有說過一句話。
Spanish has been spoken in Santiago's home for three generations.
Santiago 家中三代來都以西班牙語交談。
The defendant's name had been spoken aloud before the lawyer could stop the witness.
在律師來得及阻止證人之前，被告的名字就已經被大聲說出來了。
Benjamin has never spoken about his childhood in public.
Benjamin 從未公開談論過自己的童年。
文法句型
have/has/had + spoken
be + spoken
用法筆記
As a past participle, 'spoken' only appears in compound verb forms (perfect tenses, passive voice). It never stands alone as a main verb.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a language or type of communication that people produce with th
口語
用說話而非書寫的方式表達
used to describe a language or type of communication that people produce with their voice, rather than through writing or music.
Putri finds spoken Italian much easier to understand than written Italian.
Putri 覺得口說義大利文比書面義大利文容易理解得多。
collocation: 'spoken [language] vs written [language]'
The exam tests both spoken and written English skills equally.
這場考試同時測驗口說和書寫英語的能力。
paired with 'written' in formal contexts
Mizuki's spoken Japanese is fluent, but she still struggles with kanji.
Mizuki 的日語口說很流利，但她仍然不太會寫漢字。
Many learners find spoken English harder to understand than written English.
許多學習者覺得口說英語比書面英語更難聽懂。
Christopher's spoken French improved quickly after he moved to Lyon.
Christopher 搬到里昂後，法語口說進步得很快。
- written
the opposite medium of communication
用法筆記
Commonly contrasted with 'written' in the same sentence. The noun following 'spoken' is usually a language name ('spoken English') or a communication noun ('spoken language', 'spoken word').
常見錯誤
spoken — 形容詞
1. relating to or carried out through the act of talking, as opposed to being done
口頭的
以言語進行而非書面的
relating to or carried out through the act of talking, as opposed to being done in writing — for example, a spoken promise or a spoken warning.
The couple made a spoken agreement to share all household costs.
那對夫妻口頭約定平分所有家庭開銷。
collocation: 'spoken agreement' — not written down
A spoken apology from the mayor helped calm the angry crowd.
市長的口頭道歉幫助平息了憤怒的人群。
The old folk tales were passed down through spoken tradition for centuries.
這些民間故事數百年來透過口頭傳統代代相傳。
A spoken warning from the coach was enough to change the team's behaviour.
教練的口頭警告就足以改變球隊的態度。
A spoken promise between friends was all they needed to seal the deal.
朋友之間一句口頭承諾就足以讓事情談定。
文法句型
spoken + noun
be + spoken
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'oral', but 'spoken' is more common in everyday contexts ('spoken apology'), while 'oral' is preferred in formal or clinical settings ('oral exam', 'oral tradition'). Distinguish from sense 1 of verb — verb sense 1 is the grammatical past-participle form, while this adjective sense modifies a noun directly.
2. having a clear, educated, and polished way of speaking that makes a positive imp
談吐好的
說話清晰得體、令人印象深刻的
having a clear, educated, and polished way of speaking that makes a positive impression on listeners.
The committee chose a well-spoken candidate to represent the group.
委員會選了一位談吐得體的人來代表團隊。
attributive: 'a well-spoken candidate'
Antonia is well-spoken and handles press conferences with confidence.
Antonia 談吐得體，應對記者會游刃有餘。
Quinn's well-spoken manner made a strong impression on the interviewers.
Quinn 得體的談吐給面試官留下了深刻印象。
The tour guide was so well-spoken that tourists often complimented him.
那位導遊非常善於言辭，遊客時常稱讚他。
The receptionist was well-spoken and handled every phone call with patience.
那位接待員談吐得體，耐心處理每一通電話。
- articulate
suggests the ability to express ideas clearly; slightly more formal than 'well-spoken'
- eloquent
implies persuasive and emotionally powerful speech; higher register
- polished
focuses on smooth, refined delivery
- inarticulate
describes difficulty expressing ideas clearly
- rough-spoken
implies a blunt or unpolished manner of talking
文法句型
be + well-spoken
a well-spoken + noun
常見錯誤
spoken — 字尾
1. used at the end of a word, after an adverb, to create an adjective describing a
說話方式的
接於副詞後，描述說話方式
used at the end of a word, after an adverb, to create an adjective describing a particular style or quality of talking — for example, soft-spoken meaning 'talking in a gentle, quiet way'.
The soft-spoken librarian surprised everyone with her confident speech.
那位說話輕柔的圖書館員以自信的演講讓大家大吃一驚。
compound: 'soft-spoken' — quiet, gentle manner
Folake is a plain-spoken woman who never hides her true opinion.
Folake 說話直率，從不隱藏自己的真實想法。
compound: 'plain-spoken' — direct, honest
Sivan is too soft-spoken to be heard at the back of the lecture hall.
Sivan 說話太輕聲細語了，坐在演講廳後面根本聽不見。
The plain-spoken politician won voters over with his honest answers.
那位說話直率的政治人物以誠實的回答贏得了選民的支持。
The rough-spoken farmer had a kind heart hidden beneath his blunt words.
那位說話粗獷的農夫在直率的話語下藏著一顆善良的心。
文法句型
adverb + -spoken
用法筆記
This suffix is productive but limited to established compounds. Common ones include 'soft-spoken', 'plain-spoken', and 'smooth-spoken'. New coinages (e.g., 'gentle-spoken') are possible but less frequent. Distinguish from adjective sense 2 ('well-spoken'), which is a single fixed adjective rather than a productive pattern.