say
/seɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈe] /seɪ/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈe] /ˈsā Southern also ˈse/ (ame, mw)
say — 動詞
- saypresent simple I / you / we / they
- sayshe / she / it
- saidpast simple
- saying-ing form
1. to use your voice to produce words or sentences, telling someone something or gi
說；講
用嘴巴說出話語或聲音
to use your voice to produce words or sentences, telling someone something or giving information.
Lucía said goodbye to her classmates before leaving the school.
Lucía 在離開學校前跟同學們說再見。
say + goodbye [+ to someone] — common fixed phrase for parting
The teacher said that the exam would be next Monday.
老師說考試在下週一舉行。
say + that-clause for reporting what someone told you
Mark said something quietly, but nobody could hear him.
Mark 輕聲說了句話，但沒有人聽得見。
What did Mayumi say when you told her the news?
你告訴 Mayumi 這個消息時，她說了什麼？
- remain silent
to not say anything
文法句型
say + something
say + that-clause
say + to someone
用法筆記
Unlike 'tell', 'say' does NOT need an indirect object before the content. Compare: 'He said (that) he was tired.' vs 'He told me (that) he was tired.'
常見錯誤
2. to think or suppose that something is true, especially as a personal opinion or
認為；猜想
表達個人看法或推測
to think or suppose that something is true, especially as a personal opinion or a generally accepted belief.
The newspaper says that the economy is getting better.
報紙說經濟正在好轉。
inanimate subject + say + that-clause for reported opinion
I would say this is the best restaurant in town, but the prices are quite high.
我會說這是鎮上最好的餐廳，不過價格有點高。
I would say — softening a personal opinion
Local doctors say that walking for thirty minutes a day is good for your health.
當地醫師都說每天走路三十分鐘有益健康。
Most neighbors say the shortcut through the park is safe after sunset.
大多數鄰居都說穿過公園的捷徑在日落後還算安全。
文法句型
say + that-clause
be said to be
用法筆記
Common in the fixed expression 'they say / people say' to refer to general belief or common knowledge, not a specific speaker.
3. to state your opinion, suggestion, or judgment aloud, especially in a discussion
表示；發言
表達意見或建議
to state your opinion, suggestion, or judgment aloud, especially in a discussion or when someone asks what you think.
Aylin said at the meeting that the project needed more time.
Aylin 在會議上表示這個案子需要更多時間。
say + that-clause for stating an opinion in a discussion
At the town-hall meeting, I would like to say the bus cuts hurt night workers.
在鎮民大會上，我想說公車路線縮減會害到夜班工人。
would like to say — polite way to introduce an opinion
Eitan said what everyone was thinking — that the schedule was too tight.
Eitan 說出了大家的心聲——這個時間表排得太緊了。
Before we approve the plan, do you have anything to say about the late fee?
在我們批准方案前，你對這筆逾期費有什麼想說的嗎？
文法句型
say + that-clause
say + what/where/whether
have something to say
用法筆記
Often used in discussion contexts (meetings, debates) where a person gives their view. The fixed phrase 'have a lot to say about something' suggests strong feelings toward a topic.
常見錯誤
4. to communicate a feeling, thought, or attitude through facial expressions, body
流露；表現
用表情或動作傳達感受
to communicate a feeling, thought, or attitude through facial expressions, body movements, or other signals rather than spoken words.
Jisoo's smile said more than any words could express.
Jisoo 的笑容傳達了千言萬語。
body part / expression + says — non-verbal communication metaphor
The look on Lakshmi's face said she was not happy with the decision.
Lakshmi 臉上的表情顯示她對這個決定不滿意。
Tendai's tired eyes said that he had been working all night.
Tendai 疲倦的眼神說明他工作了一整夜。
The way Ezra hugged his grandmother said how much he had missed her.
Ezra 擁抱祖母的方式顯露出他有多想念她。
- show
less poetic; used in both spoken and written English
- reveal
stronger emphasis on making something known that was hidden
- communicate
broader, covering both verbal and non-verbal expression
文法句型
body part + says + (that)
用法筆記
Subject is typically a facial feature (face, eyes, smile), a gesture, or a person's general manner. Often used to describe emotions someone is not expressing verbally.
5. used in the passive form to report what people generally believe or think about
據說；被認為
被普遍認為或被相信
used in the passive form to report what people generally believe or think about someone or something, without naming who believes it.
The old castle is said to be haunted by a ghost.
這座古城堡據說有鬼魂出沒。
be said to be — passive structure for general belief
Constanza is said to be one of the best violinists in the country.
Constanza 被認為是全國最優秀的小提琴家之一。
The painting is said to have been painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
這幅畫據說是達文西本人畫的。
The alley behind the station is said to be dangerous after dark.
車站後方那條巷子據說天黑後很危險。
- reportedly
adverb used with other verbs, e.g. 'she is reportedly dating him'
- rumored
suggests the belief may not be true
- believed to be
more direct synonym for 'said to be'
文法句型
be said to be
be said to have
用法筆記
Only the passive form 'be said' is used in this sense. The active form with 'people' ('people say') can sometimes replace it, but 'be said to' is more formal and common in writing.
常見錯誤
6. if a sign, clock, notice, or other object says something, it shows or gives that
寫明；標示
文字或標誌顯示資訊
if a sign, clock, notice, or other object says something, it shows or gives that information in written form or through its display.
The sign on the door says Private — No Entry.
門上的標示寫著「私人區域——禁止進入」。
inanimate subject + says — signs display information
My watch says it is already half past seven.
我的手錶顯示已經七點半了。
The invitation says that the party starts at eight o'clock.
邀請函上寫著派對在八點開始。
The notice on the wall says all visitors must sign in at the front desk.
牆上的公告寫明所有訪客必須在櫃檯登記。
文法句型
sign/watch/notice + says + (that)
用法筆記
This sense only works with non-living subjects that display information. You cannot use 'say' this way for sounds or smells ('The bell says lunch is ready' is incorrect — use 'means' instead).
常見錯誤
7. to show or suggest a particular quality, characteristic, or inner state of someo
顯示；說明
顯示某種特質或狀態
to show or suggest a particular quality, characteristic, or inner state of someone or something by being observed.
Ezra's careful preparation said a lot about his dedication to the job.
Ezra 的充分準備說明了他對這份工作的投入。
say a lot about — fixed expression for revealing character
The empty fridge said that no one had been home for days.
空空的冰箱顯示已經好幾天沒人回家了。
Aylin's decision to volunteer on weekends says a lot about her kindness.
Aylin 週末去當志工的決定充分展現了她的善良。
The worn sofa and thick dust said a lot about months of neglect.
那張磨損的沙發和厚厚的灰塵，說明這裡被荒廢了好幾個月。
文法句型
something + says + a lot/about
用法筆記
Most common in the fixed phrase 'say a lot / something / nothing about' to comment on the meaning behind observable facts. The subject is always an action, situation, or object — not a person directly.
常見錯誤
say — 感嘆詞
1. an informal exclamation people use when something suddenly catches their interes
哎呀；喂
表示驚訝、喜悅或引起注意
an informal exclamation people use when something suddenly catches their interest, or when they want others to listen for a moment.
Say! I just remembered that I left my wallet at home.
哎呀！我剛想起來我把錢包放在家裡了。
exclamation — expressing sudden recollection
Say, that is a beautiful painting! Where did you buy it?
喂，那幅畫真漂亮！你在哪裡買的？
Say, is that Lucía over there by the coffee shop in the blue coat?
喂，咖啡店那邊穿藍色外套的是不是 Lucía？
Say, I never expected to run into you here!
哎呀，真沒想到會在這裡遇到你！
say — 名詞
1. the right or opportunity to express your opinion and influence a decision that a
發言權
表達意見及參與決定的權利
the right or opportunity to express your opinion and influence a decision that affects you.
As a member of the club, you have a say in how the money is spent.
身為俱樂部會員，你對於經費如何使用有發言權。
have a say in — right to influence decisions
The employees want more say in the company's policies.
員工希望在公司政策上擁有更多發言權。
Parents should have a say in what their children learn at school.
家長對於孩子在學校學什麼應該有發言權。
The residents demanded a say in the new park design.
居民要求對新公園的設計有發言權。
- no say
being excluded from decision-making
文法句型
have a say (in something)
get a say
用法筆記
Almost always used in the singular, usually with 'a' or 'some'. 'Have a say' is a fixed collocation. The verb that follows is typically 'in + noun/gerund'.