talk
talk — 動詞
1. to produce words with your voice in order to share thoughts, feelings, or inform
說話；講話
用語言表達想法或資訊
to produce words with your voice in order to share thoughts, feelings, or information with someone; to be able to use a particular language for speaking.
Ada talked to the shop assistant about getting a refund for the broken kettle.
Ada 跟店員談了關於退掉故障水壺的事。
talk + to + person + about + topic
The baby cannot talk yet, but she makes lots of sounds and gestures.
這個寶寶還不會說話，但她會發出很多聲音和手勢。
Joshua can talk French and German because his family moved around when he was young.
Joshua 會說法語和德語，因為他小時候家裡經常搬家。
Baraka talked very quietly during the exam so that the librarian would not hear him.
Baraka 考試時講話非常小聲，以免被圖書館員聽見。
It is rude to talk with food still in your mouth at the dinner table.
在餐桌上嘴裡還有食物時講話是很不禮貌的。
- listen
the receiving side of communication
- remain silent
to not speak at all
文法句型
talk + to/with + person
talk + about + topic
talk + language
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is always a language (e.g., talk Spanish, talk Mandarin). For other objects, use talk about or talk to.
常見錯誤
2. to have a serious conversation with someone in order to solve a problem, settle
協商；商談
為了解決問題而進行的嚴肅對話
to have a serious conversation with someone in order to solve a problem, settle a disagreement, or make a decision together.
The managers agreed to talk about the budget cuts before making any final decisions.
經理們同意在做出最終決定前先討論預算削減的問題。
talk + about + serious issue
Minho and his roommate sat down to talk over their disagreement about noise after midnight.
Minho 和他的室友坐下來商談關於半夜噪音的爭執。
talk + over + disagreement
Niran refused to talk until his lawyer arrived at the police station.
Niran 在律師到達警察局之前拒絕說話。
The union leaders need to talk and find a solution before the strike starts.
兩位工會領袖必須在下週罷工開始之前談出一個解決方案。
文法句型
talk + about + issue/problem
talk + over + disagreement
用法筆記
Often implies a pre-existing conflict or important issue that needs resolution. The preposition over often signals the source of disagreement.
常見錯誤
3. to exchange thoughts or opinions about a particular subject in a general convers
談論；討論
就某一主題交換意見
to exchange thoughts or opinions about a particular subject in a general conversation, without necessarily trying to solve a problem.
The students talked about their summer plans while waiting for the bus.
學生們在等公車時聊起了暑假計劃。
talk + about + general topic
Gita and Asher talked about the book for hours after their club meeting.
Gita 和 Asher 在讀書會結束後花了超過一個小時討論那本書。
What did you two talk about at the party last night?
你們昨晚在派對上聊了什麼？
The documentary made everyone talk about climate change on the way home.
那部紀錄片讓每個人回家路上都在討論氣候變遷。
Liam loves to talk about photography and camera equipment whenever he meets new people.
Liam 每次認識新朋友時都喜歡聊攝影和相機設備。
- discuss
slightly more formal; often suggests a planned or more thorough exchange
- chat about
more informal; suggests a relaxed, friendly conversation
- mention
to briefly refer to a topic, not engage in extended discussion
文法句型
talk + about + topic/subject
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/2 (DISCUSS SERIOUSLY): this sense describes general conversation without the expectation of resolving a conflict. The topic can be trivial or serious, but the tone is conversational rather than confrontational.
4. to speak to an audience about a subject in a prepared or structured way, usually
演講；開講
對聽眾進行有準備的發表
to speak to an audience about a subject in a prepared or structured way, usually to inform or teach.
Professor Ingrid talked about ancient Roman architecture to a hall full of students.
Ingrid 教授對著滿座學生講述古羅馬建築。
talk + about + subject + to + audience
Faisal was nervous when he talked to the conference about his research on solar energy.
Faisal 在會議上演講太陽能研究時感到很緊張。
The author is coming to talk on modern poetry at the library next Thursday evening.
那位作家下週四晚上要到圖書館談現代詩歌。
Andrés talked for nearly an hour at the workshop without stopping for questions.
Andrés 在工作坊講了近一個小時，中途沒有停下來接受提問。
文法句型
talk + about/on + subject
talk + to + audience
用法筆記
Frequently followed by on for formal academic topics (talk on climate change) and about for more general presentation topics.
常見錯誤
5. to give away secret or private information, especially when pressured, threatene
招供；吐露
在壓力下說出秘密資訊
to give away secret or private information, especially when pressured, threatened, or forced to do so.
The captured spy refused to talk, even when the guards questioned him all night.
那名間諜被捕了但拒絕招供，即使警衛審問了他一整夜。
refuse to talk (give information under pressure)
The police kept the suspect until he finally talked about where he hid the money.
警方一直扣留嫌犯，直到他終於說出藏錢的地點。
Nobody could make the prisoner talk because he had been trained to resist interrogation.
沒有人能讓那名囚犯開口，因為他受過反審訊訓練。
Once the hacker started talking, the whole network security system was rebuilt.
那名駭客一開始吐露資訊，整個網路安全系統就被重建了。
- keep quiet
to deliberately not reveal information
- stay silent
to refuse to speak
文法句型
make + person + talk
refuse to talk
用法筆記
Common in crime, espionage, and interrogation contexts. Often used in the phrase make someone talk or refuse to talk.
6. to discuss the private lives, behaviour, or personal affairs of other people whe
八卦；說閒話
在背後議論他人的私事
to discuss the private lives, behaviour, or personal affairs of other people when they are not present.
The neighbours talked about the new family on the street and spread rumours.
鄰居們都在談論街上的新家庭，到處散播各種謠言。
talk + about + person (gossiping)
Defne told her friends they should not talk behind other people's backs at work.
Defne 告訴朋友們不應該在工作時背後說別人壞話。
talk behind someone's back
People love to talk when a celebrity gets divorced or makes a public mistake.
每當有名人離婚或公開犯錯時，大家就愛八卦一番。
The office has been talking about the manager's sudden resignation all week.
整個辦公室整週都在議論經理的突然辭職。
- keep to oneself
to mind one's own business
文法句型
talk + about + person
用法筆記
Carries a negative connotation of spreading personal information about others. The phrase talk behind someone's back is a common fixed expression for this sense.
talk — 名詞
1. a spoken exchange between two or more people, usually focused on a shared topic
對話；交談
兩人之間的口頭交流
a spoken exchange between two or more people, usually focused on a shared topic or set of topics.
Gita had a long talk with her mother about choosing a university course.
Gita 跟母親長談了關於選擇大學科系的事。
have a talk + with + person + about + topic
Joshua and his father sat down for a quiet talk after dinner.
Joshua 和父親在晚餐後坐下來安靜地談了一會兒。
The coach gave the team a short talk before the final match of the season.
教練在賽季總決賽前給球隊做了簡短談話。
The two friends had an interesting talk about Japanese films and animation.
那兩位朋友就日本電影和動畫進行了一次有趣的交談。
Baraka felt much better after a friendly talk with Ada over coffee.
Baraka 和 Ada 喝咖啡時聊了一會兒天，心情好多了。
- conversation
the closest synonym; conversation sounds slightly more natural as a general term for spoken exchange
- chat
informal; a friendly, unimportant conversation
- discussion
more formal; implies a more thorough exchange of views
文法句型
have a talk + with + person
a talk + about + topic
用法筆記
Often used with have (have a talk) which makes it a countable noun in this sense. A talk can range from a brief chat to a lengthy discussion.
常見錯誤
2. an informative speech delivered before an audience, typically planned in advance
演講；講座
針對某一主題的公開講述
an informative speech delivered before an audience, typically planned in advance and intended to teach or explain a subject.
Professor Ingrid gave a fascinating talk on the history of Korean pottery at the museum.
Ingrid 教授在博物館進行了一場關於韓國陶器歷史的精采講座。
give a talk + on + subject
The library hosts a free public talk every month about local wildlife and nature.
圖書館每個月都會舉辦一場免費的公開講座，介紹當地的野生動植物。
Faisal's talk about renewable energy was so well received that he was invited back.
Faisal 關於再生能源的演講大受好評，因此他又被邀請回去了。
Andrés prepared slides and handouts for his talk on digital photography techniques.
Andrés 為他關於數位攝影技巧的講座準備了投影片和講義。
A short talk follows the guided tour for visitors who want to learn more.
導覽結束後有一場簡短講座，提供給想了解更多資訊的訪客。
- lecture
longer and more formal than a talk; typically academic or professional
- presentation
often involves visual aids; can be professional or academic
- speech
a formal address; usually more rhetorical than a talk
文法句型
a talk + on/about + subject
give a talk
用法筆記
A talk in this sense is shorter and less formal than a lecture but more structured than a casual conversation. Use on for academic or specialist topics, about for general subjects.
常見錯誤
3. official meetings or negotiations between groups, organizations, or countries, a
會談；談判
旨在達成協議的正式討論
official meetings or negotiations between groups, organizations, or countries, aimed at reaching an agreement or solving a serious problem.
Peace talks between the two countries resumed after a break of three months.
兩國之間的中斷三個月的和平會談重新展開了。
peace talks between parties
The management and the union held talks about working conditions and wages.
管理層和工會就工作條件和薪資進行了談判。
Trade talks broke down when neither side was willing to compromise on tariffs.
貿易談判破裂了，因為雙方都不願意在關稅問題上妥協。
Leaders from six countries attended the climate talks in Vienna last October.
來自六個國家的領導人出席了去年十月在維也納的氣候會談。
The talks are expected to last several days and cover a wide range of issues.
這些會談預計將持續數天，涵蓋廣泛的議題。
- negotiations
the most formal synonym; focuses on bargaining toward a specific outcome
- summit
a meeting between top leaders; implies high-level diplomacy
- discussions
slightly less formal than talks; can also describe informal exchanges
文法句型
talks + between + parties
talks + with + group
peace talks
trade talks
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the plural — talks — even when referring to a single meeting or negotiation session. Common compounds include peace talks, trade talks, pay talks, and climate talks.
常見錯誤
4. what people are saying about something that may or may not be true; the subject
傳言；話題
大家都在討論的事情或謠言
what people are saying about something that may or may not be true; the subject that many people are discussing at a particular time.
There has been talk about layoffs since the company lost its biggest customer.
自從公司失去最大客戶以來，裁員的傳言就一直不斷。
talk about [speculative subject]
All this talk of moving to another country is just a rumour that started online.
所有這些關於搬去另一個國家的說法只是網路上出現的謠言。
The opening of the new library became the talk of the whole neighbourhood.
新圖書館的開幕成了整個社區的話題。
Talk of a merger has gone around the office for weeks without official news.
合併的傳聞已經在辦公室裡流傳了好幾週，沒有任何官方消息。
Her promotion was the main talk among the staff during the lunch break.
她的升遷是午餐時間同事間的主要話題。
文法句型
talk + of/about + something
be talk of the town/office
用法筆記
Uncountable — you cannot say a talk about rumours. The phrase the talk of the town/office/school describes a topic that has captured everyone's attention.