speak
/spiːk/ (bre, ipa) · /spiːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspēk/ (ame, mw) · /-spiːk/ (bre, ipa) · /-spiːk/ (ame, ipa)
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, whether chatting with another person or just
to produce words using your voice, whether chatting with another person or just saying something by yourself.
Mayumi is learning to speak her first words clearly.
speak + words (direct object)
Theo asked the tour guide to speak more slowly so he could understand.
speak + adverb of manner
The old woman spoke to the shopkeeper about the broken washing machine.
Kian was too shy to speak at the family dinner table.
Olivia spoke into the microphone so everyone could hear her.
- remain silent
to not say anything at all
文法句型
speak + adverb of manner
speak to [someone]
speak + noun phrase
用法筆記
Transitive use is limited to certain objects such as 'words', 'truth', 'mind', or 'language'.
常見錯誤
2. used with an adverb to indicate the angle or perspective from which you are maki
used with an adverb to indicate the angle or perspective from which you are making a statement.
Generally speaking, Professor Dario's chemistry experiment produced the results the team had hoped for.
generally speaking — viewpoint adverb pair
Strictly speaking, this type of contract is not allowed under the new rules.
Broadly speaking, the two plans share the same goals and methods.
Technically speaking, you are correct, but the rule is rarely enforced.
文法句型
generally/strictly/broadly/technically speaking
用法筆記
Always appears with an adverb of viewpoint (generally, strictly, broadly, technically, roughly, historically). The subject is typically the speaker or a general 'it'. Frequently used at the start of a sentence set off by a comma.
3. to talk to someone about something wrong they have done, in order to show your d
to talk to someone about something wrong they have done, in order to show your disapproval.
Caio's manager spoke to him about arriving late every morning.
speak to [someone] about [misbehaviour]
The head teacher spoke to the students who had not finished their homework.
Samir knew he would be spoken to after the incident in the cafeteria.
The coach spoke to the players about their poor sportsmanship during the match.
- praise
to express approval of someone's actions
文法句型
speak to [someone] about [misbehaviour]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('be spoken to'). The person spoken to is usually a subordinate — a child, student, or employee. The subject is an authority figure. Do not confuse with 'speak to' meaning 'address' (sense 1), which is neutral.
常見錯誤
4. having the skill or knowledge to use a specific language for communication, rega
having the skill or knowledge to use a specific language for communication, regardless of your level.
Hyun can speak three different languages, and she uses them fluently at work.
speak + language (direct object)
Does anyone in this office speak Korean well enough to translate the email?
The tour guide spoke English and Japanese to the visitors from Osaka.
Élise speaks French at home and German at work.
- use
neutral; 'use English' is possible but less idiomatic than 'speak English'
文法句型
speak + language name
用法筆記
The object is always a language name (English, Mandarin, Arabic, etc.). Unlike 'say', you cannot use a quote or specific words after 'speak' in this sense. 'Speak in + language' is also possible but less common in everyday use.
常見錯誤
5. to make a prepared speech in front of an audience, especially at a formal event
to make a prepared speech in front of an audience, especially at a formal event or ceremony.
Christopher was nervous because he had to speak at his sister's wedding.
speak at [event] — giving a formal talk
The professor will speak about climate change at the international conference.
Baraka has been invited to speak to the new students during orientation week.
Liam spoke passionately about the need for clean drinking water in rural areas.
- give a speech
more explicit about the formal nature of the event
- address
more formal; used for official gatherings
文法句型
speak at [event]
speak to [audience]
speak about [topic]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'at' (the event: at a conference, at a meeting) or 'to' (the audience: to the class). The topic is introduced by 'about' or 'on'. This sense implies preparation and formality — different from casual conversation (sense 1).
6. to show or communicate a feeling, quality, or meaning through actions, appearanc
to show or communicate a feeling, quality, or meaning through actions, appearance, or other non-verbal signs — for example, when someone's eyes or facial expression show an emotion without using words.
The silence in the room spoke of their deep sadness after the funeral.
speak of [emotion] — non-verbal expression
Adina's eyes spoke of a joy she could not put into words.
The empty streets spoke of a city that had lost its energy and purpose.
Sivan's paintings speak directly to the pain and hope of living in a war zone.
文法句型
speak of [emotion/quality]
speak to [feeling/experience]
用法筆記
The subject is always non-human — a situation, a person's expression, a work of art, or an environment. 'Speak of' introduces what is shown; 'speak to' introduces what is addressed or expressed toward someone.
7. of an object or device, to produce a distinctive or expected sound that seems to
of an object or device, to produce a distinctive or expected sound that seems to communicate something.
The old grandfather clock spoke with a deep chime at exactly midnight.
speak — literary use for objects producing sound
The cannons spoke across the valley at dawn, signalling the start of battle.
The violin seemed to speak through its gentle notes as Ziad played it.
The church bells spoke across the village, calling everyone to the morning service.
文法句型
[object] speaks — literary use
用法筆記
Almost exclusively literary or poetic. Not used in everyday speech to describe ordinary sounds (do not say 'my phone spoke'). Common in historical writing about cannons, bells, and musical instruments.
speak — suffix
1. attached to the end of a noun to refer to the specialised vocabulary typical of
attached to the end of a noun to refer to the specialised vocabulary typical of a certain field or occupation.
The annual report from Dario's company was full of corporate-speak that confused the new investors.
corporate-speak — jargon of business
The mayor used government-speak to avoid giving a clear answer about the hospital budget.
The manual for Theo's camera was written in heavy tech-speak — he read each step twice.
Amani read the job ad, but the marketing-speak told her nothing about her daily tasks.
- jargon
more neutral; 'jargon' does not carry the critical tone of '-speak'
用法筆記
Forms nouns by attaching to a subject area, e.g. 'business-speak', 'marketing-speak', 'internet-speak'. Often carries a slightly critical tone, suggesting the language is unnecessarily complicated or excludes outsiders. Originates from George Orwell's 'Newspeak' in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.