speak
/spiːk/ (bre, ipa) · /spiːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspēk/ (ame, mw) · /-spiːk/ (bre, ipa) · /-spiːk/ (ame, ipa)
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, whether chatting with another person or just
說話
用語言表達想法或交談
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.
Mayumi 正在學習清楚地說出她的第一批詞彙。
speak + words (direct object)
Theo asked the tour guide to speak more slowly so he could understand.
Theo 請導遊說慢一點，這樣他才能聽得懂。
speak + adverb of manner
The old woman spoke to the shopkeeper about the broken washing machine.
那位老婦人向店員反映洗衣機壞了。
Kian was too shy to speak at the family dinner table.
Kian 在家庭聚餐時害羞得不敢說話。
Olivia spoke into the microphone so everyone could hear her.
Olivia 對著麥克風說話，讓每個人都能聽見她。
- 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
來說
從某種觀點或角度表達
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.
一般來說，Dario 教授的化學實驗產生了團隊預期的結果。
generally speaking — viewpoint adverb pair
Strictly speaking, this type of contract is not allowed under the new rules.
嚴格來說，這種合約在新規定下是不允許的。
Broadly speaking, the two plans share the same goals and methods.
大致來說，這兩個計畫有著相同的目標和方法。
Technically speaking, you are correct, but the rule is rarely enforced.
從技術層面來說，你是對的，但這條規則很少被執行。
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
告誡
提醒或責備某人的錯誤行為
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.
Caio 的主管告誡他每天早上都遲到的事。
speak to [someone] about [misbehaviour]
The head teacher spoke to the students who had not finished their homework.
校長告誡那些沒有完成作業的學生。
Samir knew he would be spoken to after the incident in the cafeteria.
Samir 知道在餐廳事件之後，他會被約談告誡。
The coach spoke to the players about their poor sportsmanship during the match.
教練告誡球員在比賽中缺乏運動家精神的表現。
- 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
說；講
能夠使用某種語言溝通
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.
Hyun 會說三種不同的語言，而且她在工作中能流利使用。
speak + language (direct object)
Does anyone in this office speak Korean well enough to translate the email?
這間辦公室裡有人韓語說得夠好，可以翻譯這封電子郵件嗎？
The tour guide spoke English and Japanese to the visitors from Osaka.
導遊用英語和日語跟來自大阪的遊客交談。
Élise speaks French at home and German at work.
Élise 在家講法語，在上班時講德語。
- 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
演講
對聽眾發表正式談話
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.
Christopher 很緊張，因為他必須在姐姐的婚禮上演講。
speak at [event] — giving a formal talk
The professor will speak about climate change at the international conference.
這位教授將在國際會議上針對氣候變遷發表演講。
Baraka has been invited to speak to the new students during orientation week.
Baraka 受邀在新生訓練週期間向新生演講。
Liam spoke passionately about the need for clean drinking water in rural areas.
Liam 熱情地演講，談到偏鄉地區對乾淨飲用水的需求。
- 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
流露
不用言語而表現情感或意義
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.
房間裡的寂靜流露出他們在葬禮後的深切悲傷。
speak of [emotion] — non-verbal expression
Adina's eyes spoke of a joy she could not put into words.
Adina 的眼神流露出言語無法形容的喜悅。
The empty streets spoke of a city that had lost its energy and purpose.
空蕩蕩的街道流露出這座城市已失去活力與目標。
Sivan's paintings speak directly to the pain and hope of living in a war zone.
Sivan 的畫作直接觸及生活在戰區的痛苦與希望。
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
發出聲響
物體發出特有的聲音
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.
那座老舊的落地鐘在午夜時分發出深沉的鐘聲。
speak — literary use for objects producing sound
The cannons spoke across the valley at dawn, signalling the start of battle.
黎明時分，大砲在山谷中轟鳴，宣告戰鬥開始。
The violin seemed to speak through its gentle notes as Ziad played it.
Ziad 演奏時，那把小提琴似乎透過溫柔的音符傾訴心聲。
The church bells spoke across the village, calling everyone to the morning service.
教堂的鐘聲響徹村莊，召喚大家參加早晨的禮拜。
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 — 字尾
1. attached to the end of a noun to refer to the specialised vocabulary typical of
用語；術語
構成名詞，指特定領域的特殊語言
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.
Dario 公司的年度報告充滿了公司用語，讓新投資人看得一頭霧水。
corporate-speak — jargon of business
The mayor used government-speak to avoid giving a clear answer about the hospital budget.
市長使用政府官僚用語來迴避正面回答醫院的預算問題。
The manual for Theo's camera was written in heavy tech-speak — he read each step twice.
Theo 的相機說明書充滿了專業術語——他每個步驟都得讀兩遍。
Amani read the job ad, but the marketing-speak told her nothing about her daily tasks.
Amani 看了那則求才廣告，但裡面的行銷用語完全沒有提到她的日常工作。
- 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.