speak

verb

交谈 have conversation

1. 谈；谈话；交谈
   to talk to sb about sth; to have a conversation with sb
   1. I've spoken to the manager about it.
      那件事我已经和经理谈过了。
   2. The President refused to speak to the waiting journalists.
      总统拒绝同等候的记者讲话。
   3. Can I speak with you for a minute?
      我能跟你谈一会儿吗？
   4. ‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ (= at the beginning of a telephone conversation)
      “请让苏珊接电话好吗？”“我就是。”
   5. ‘Do you know him?’ ‘Not to speak to.’ (= only by sight)
      “你认识他吗？”“没说过话。”
   6. I saw her in the street but we didn't speak.
      我在街上看见她了，但我们没有谈话。

说话 use voice

2. 说话；讲话
   to use your voice to say sth
   1. He can't speak because of a throat infection.
      他嗓子发炎不能说话。
   2. Please speak more slowly.
      请讲慢点。
   3. Without speaking, she stood up and went out.
      她没有说话，站起身来走了出去。
   4. He speaks with a strange accent.
      他说话的口音很特别。
   5. She has a beautiful speaking voice.
      她说话的音色很美。

提起；讲述 mention/describe

3. 提起；讲述
   to mention or describe sth/sb
   1. She still speaks about him with great affection.
      说起他来她依旧一往情深。
   2. Witnesses spoke of a great ball of flame.
      目击者都谈到有个大火球。
   3. Speaking of travelling (= referring back to a subject just mentioned) , are you going anywhere exciting this year?
      说到旅游，你今年要去什么好玩的地方吗？

语言 a language

4. 会说，会讲（某种语言）
   to be able to use a particular language
   1. to speak several languages
      会讲几种语言
   2. to speak a little Urdu
      会说一点乌尔都语
   3. Do you speak English?
      你会说英语吗？
5. 用（某种语言）说话
   to use a particular language to express yourself
   1. What language is it they're speaking?
      他们讲的是什么语？
   2. Would you prefer it if we spoke in German?
      我们用德语讲好吗？

讲…语 -speaking

6. 讲…语的
   speaking the language mentioned
   1. French-speaking Canada
      加拿大法语区
   2. non-English-speaking students
      不会讲英语的学生

…行话 -speak

7. …行话；…语言
   the language or jargon of a particular group, organization or subject
   1. computerspeak
      计算机语言
   2. eurospeak
      欧盟语言

发表讲话 make speech

8. 发言；演说；演讲
   to make a speech to an audience
   1. to speak in public
      公开演讲
   2. to speak on the radio
      在电台上讲话
   3. to speak at a conference
      在会上发言
   4. Professor Wilson was invited to speak about the results of his research.
      威尔逊教授获邀就自己的研究成果发言。
   5. She spoke in favour of the new tax.
      她发表演说，支持新税。
   6. He has a number of speaking engagements this week.
      他这个星期安排了几次演讲。

说；讲述 say/state

9. 说；讲述
   to say or state sth
   1. She was clearly speaking the truth .
      她讲的显然是实情。
   2. He spoke the final words of the play.
      剧中最后的台词是他说的。

1. VERB 说话;讲话
   When you speak, you use your voice in order to say something.
   1. He tried to speak, but for once, his voice had left him...
      他想说话，却一时语塞。
   2. He speaks with a lisp...
      他说话口齿不清。
   3. I rang the hotel and spoke to Louie...
      我打电话到酒店，跟路易通了话。
   4. She says she must speak with you at once...
      她说她必须立刻跟你谈谈。
   5. She cried when she spoke of Oliver.
      她提起奥利弗的时候哭了。
   6. ...as I spoke these idiotic words.
      当我说这些傻话的时候
2. VERB 发言；演说
   When someone speaks to a group of people, they make a speech.
   1. When speaking to the seminar Mr Franklin spoke of his experience, gained on a recent visit to Trinidad...
      在研讨会上发言的时候，富兰克林先生谈到了他最近游览特立尼达的经历。
   2. He's determined to speak at the Democratic Convention...
      他决定在民主党全国代表大会上发言。
   3. The President spoke of the need for territorial compromise.
      总统谈到了在领土问题上达成和解的必要性。

There are some differences in the way the verbs speak and talk are used. When you speak, you could, for example, be addressing someone or making a speech. Talk is more likely to be used when you are referring to a conversation or discussion. I talked about it with my family at dinner... Sometimes we'd talk all night. Talk can also be used to emphasize the activity of saying things, rather than the words that are spoken. She thought I talked too much.
speak 和 talk 的用法有所不同。speak 可以指向某人发表讲话或演讲，talk 多用于指谈话或讨论。例如：I talked about it with my family at dinner (进餐的时候，我和家里人谈论了这个问题)，Sometimes we'd talk all night (有时候我们会谈上一整夜)。talk 也用来强调说话的动作而不是说话的内容，例如：She thought I talked too much (她认为我话太多了)。

3. VERB 代表…讲话;充当…的代言人
   If you speak for a group of people, you make their views and demands known, or represent them.
   1. He said it was the job of the Church to speak for the underprivileged...
      他说，为贫困群体说话是教会的义务。
   2. I speak for all 7,000 members of our organization...
      我代表本组织的 7,000 名成员发言。
   3. Obviously I can't speak for other people, but certainly no one I know would entertain the idea.
      我显然不能代表其他人的意见，可是我认识的人当中肯定没有人会有这样的想法。
4. VERB (会)讲，说(外语)
   If you speak a foreign language, you know the language and are able to have a conversation in it.
   1. He doesn't speak English...
      他不会讲英语。
   2. Many of them can speak two or three or more languages.
      他们当中许多人都会说两三门语言，有的人甚至更多。
5. VERB (在文中)谈起，提到
   People sometimes mention something that has been written by saying what the author speaks of .
   1. In the book she speaks of his “social ineptitude” and says he verbally abused her...
      她在书中提到他“缺乏社交技能”，并且说他曾经对她出言不逊。
   2. St Paul speaks of the body as the 'temple of the Holy Spirit'.
      圣保罗把身体描述为“圣神的宫殿”。
6. V-RECIP (吵架之后)不说话，不搭理
   If two people are not speaking, they no longer talk to each other because they have quarrelled.
   1. He is not speaking to his mother because of her friendship with his ex-wife...
      因为母亲和前妻仍旧保持着友好的关系，他便不再和母亲说话。
   2. The co-stars are still not speaking.
      两位联袂主演的明星仍然互不理睬。
7. VERB 表明;显示
   If you say that something speaks to you of a quality, experience, or feeling, you mean that it is evidence of it or expresses it.
   1. His behaviour spoke of an early maturity...
      他的举止流露出早熟的痕迹。
   2. The length of the car and the high polish of its fittings both spoke of money...
      长车身和高档配置无不象征着财富。
   3. Their music speaks to us with an innate grandeur we can all understand.
      他们的音乐里流露出一种我们都能体会到的天生的高贵。
8. VERB 不言而喻
   If you say that something speaks for itself, you mean that its meaning or quality is so obvious that it does not need explaining or pointing out.
   1. ...the figures speak for themselves — low order books, bleak prospects at home and a worsening outlook for exports...
      这些数字本身就说明了问题——订单订购量低，国内销售前景惨淡，出口形势日趋恶化。
   2. The results speak for themselves.
      结局不言自明。
9. See also: speaking
10. CONVENTION 你说的只是你的看法;这只是你的高见
    If you say 'Speak for yourself' when someone has said something, you mean that what they have said is only their opinion or applies only to them.
    1. 'We're not blaming you,' Kate said. 'Speak for yourself,' Boris muttered.
       “我们没有怪你，”凯特说。“也就是你这么想，”鲍里斯嘟囔道。
11. PHRASE 已被预订;早已订购;已经许给别人
    If a person or thing is spoken for or has been spoken for, someone has claimed them or asked for them, so no-one else can have them.
    1. She'd probably drop some comment about her 'fiancé' into the conversation so that he'd think she was already spoken for...
       她可能会在谈话的时候不着痕迹地对她的“未婚夫”作些评论，这样他便会认为她已经名花有主了。
    2. By December last year most of the resources had been spoken for.
       去年 12 月之前，绝大多数的资源就被预订了。
12. 行动胜于言语
    If you say that actions speak louder than words, you mean that people's actions show their real attitudes, rather than what they say. This expression is sometimes used to advise a person to do something positive.
13. PHRASE （没什么）值得一提
    Nothing to speak of means 'hardly anything' or 'only unimportant things'.
    1. They have no weaponry to speak of...
       他们没有什么武器值得炫耀。
    2. 'Any fresh developments?' — 'Nothing to speak of.'
       “有什么新进展了吗？”——“谈不上什么新进展。”
14. PHRASE 更不用说
    You can use not to speak of when adding something which your previous statement also applies to, or applies to even more than other things.
    1. This move caused consternation among universities and the government, not to speak of the students affected.
       这个举措在大学和政府里造成了恐慌，更不用说受到影响的学生们了。
15. PHRASE 说…的好话/坏话；称赞/批评
    If you speak well of someone or speak highly of someone, you say good things about them. If you speak ill of someone, you criticize them.
    1. Both spoke highly of the Russian president...
       双方均盛赞俄罗斯总统。
    2. It seemed she found it difficult to speak ill of anyone.
       她似乎觉得说别人的坏话很难。
16. PHRASE 可以说;可谓
    You use so to speak to draw attention to the fact that you are describing or referring to something in a way that may be amusing or unusual rather than completely accurate.
    1. I ought not to tell you but I will, since you're in the family, so to speak...
       我本来不该告诉你的，但我还是要这么做，因为好歹你是家里的一员。
    2. The five countries have now all passed, so to speak, their entry test.
       可以说，这5个国家现在都已经通过了入门考试。
17. PHRASE 见面交谈的；相识的
    If you are on speaking terms with someone, you are quite friendly with them and often talk to them.
    1. For a long time her mother and her grandmother had hardly been on speaking terms.
       很久以来，她的母亲和外婆两人之间几乎不怎么说话。
18. to speak your mind → see: mind

1. He tried to speak, but for once, his voice had left him
   他想说话，却一时语塞。
2. He speaks with a lisp
   他说话口齿不清。
3. I rang the hotel and spoke to Louie
   我打电话到酒店，跟路易通了话。
4. She says she must speak with you at once
   她说她必须立刻跟你谈谈。
5. She cried when she spoke of Oliver.
   她提起奥利弗的时候哭了。
6. When speaking to the seminar Mr Franklin spoke of his experience, gained on a recent visit to Trinidad
   在研讨会上发言的时候，富兰克林先生谈到了他最近游览特立尼达的经历。
7. He's determined to speak at the Democratic Convention
   他决定在民主党全国代表大会上发言。
8. The President spoke of the need for territorial compromise.
   总统谈到了在领土问题上达成和解的必要性。
9. He said it was the job of the Church to speak for the underprivileged
   他说，为贫困群体说话是教会的义务。
10. I speak for all 7,000 members of our organization
    我代表本组织的7,000名成员发言。
11. Obviously I can't speak for other people, but certainly no one I know would entertain the idea.
    我显然不能代表其他人的意见，可是我认识的人当中肯定没有人会有这样的想法。
12. He doesn't speak English
    他不会讲英语。
13. Many of them can speak two or three or more languages.
    他们当中许多人都会说两三门语言，有的人甚至更多。
14. In the book she speaks of his “ social ineptitude ” and says he verbally abused her
    她在书中提到他“缺乏社交技能”，并且说他曾经对她出言不逊。
15. St Paul speaks of the body as the 'temple of the Holy Spirit'.
    圣保罗把身体描述为“圣神的宫殿”。
16. He is not speaking to his mother because of her friendship with his ex-wife
    因为母亲和前妻仍旧保持着友好的关系，他便不再和母亲说话。
17. The co-stars are still not speaking.
    两位联袂主演的明星仍然互不理睬。
18. His behaviour spoke of an early maturity
    他的举止流露出早熟的痕迹。
19. The length of the car and the high polish of its fittings both spoke of money
    长车身和高档配置无不象征着财富。
20. Their music speaks to us with an innate grandeur we can all understand.
    他们的音乐里流露出一种我们都能体会到的天生的高贵。
21. The results speak for themselves.
    结局不言自明。
22. 'We're not blaming you,' Kate said. 'Speak for yourself,' Boris muttered.
    “我们没有怪你，”凯特说。“也就是你这么想，”鲍里斯嘟囔道。
23. She'd probably drop some comment about her 'fianc é' into the conversation so that he'd think she was already spoken for
    她可能会在谈话的时候不着痕迹地对她的“未婚夫”作些评论，这样他便会认为她已经名花有主了。
24. By December last year most of the resources had been spoken for.
    去年12月之前，绝大多数的资源就被预订了。
25. They have no weaponry to speak of
    他们没有什么武器值得炫耀。
26. 'Any fresh developments?' — 'Nothing to speak of.'
    “有什么新进展了吗？”——“谈不上什么新进展。”
27. This move caused consternation among universities and the government, not to speak of the students affected.
    这个举措在大学和政府里造成了恐慌，更不用说受到影响的学生们了。
28. Both spoke highly of the Russian president
    双方均盛赞俄罗斯总统。
29. I ought not to tell you but I will, since you're in the family, so to speak
    我本来不该告诉你的，但我还是要这么做，因为好歹你是家里的一员。
30. For a long time her mother and her grandmother had hardly been on speaking terms.
    很久以来，她的母亲和外婆两人之间几乎不怎么说话。

  say speak talk tell【导航词义：说，讲】

  say v. 说，讲

〔辨析〕最普通用词，指用语言表达思想，侧重于所说的具体内容，通常用作及物动词。

  speak v. 说（话），讲话

〔辨析〕用作不及物动词时，侧重指说话的动作而非内容，可指长篇演讲或三言两语的交谈，也可指简单的开口说话的能力；用作及物动词时，其宾语常为某种语言。

  talk v. 说，说话，交谈

〔辨析〕普通用词，用作不及物动词时，侧重指与人交谈时的连续说话，可指单方面较长谈话，和 speak 一样，强调说话的动作而非内容；用作及物动词时，宾语多为 sense，nonsense，business，rubbish 等。

  tell v. 告诉

〔辨析〕普通用词，指直接给某人讲述或以间接的方式转述某事，有时含嘱托、命令之意，常后接双宾语或复合宾语。

speak for sb

1. 代（或代表）某人讲话
   to state the views or wishes of a person or a group; to act as a representative for sb

speak of sth

1. 表明；说明
   to be evidence that sth exists or is present

speak out (against sth)

1. 挺身（反对某事物）；公开站出来（反对）
   to state your opinions publicly, especially in opposition to sth and in a way that takes courage

speak to sb (about sth)

1. （为某事）数说某人
   to talk to sb in a serious way about sth wrong they have done, to try to stop them doing it again

speak up

1. 大声点说
   usually used in orders to tell sb to speak more loudly
   1. What language is it they're speaking?
      他们讲的是什么语？
   2. Would you prefer it if we spoke in German?
      我们用德语讲好吗？

speak up (for sb/sth)

1. 明确表态；（尤指为…）说好话，辩护
   to say what you think clearly and freely, especially in order to support or defend sb/sth
   1. French-speaking Canada
      加拿大法语区
   2. non-English-speaking students
      不会讲英语的学生

v.

be on speaking terms (with sb)

be speaking (to sb)

• （与某人）和好如初，和睦相处
  to be willing to be polite or friendly towards sb, especially after an argument
  1. She's not been on speaking terms with her uncle for years.
     多年来她跟她叔叔一直不说话。
  2. Are they speaking to each other again yet?
     他们俩和好了没有？

generally, broadly, roughly, relatively, etc. speaking

• 总的、一般、粗略、相对等说来
  used to show that what you are saying is true in a general, etc. way
  1. Generally speaking, the more you pay, the more you get.
     一般来说，花钱多，买的东西就多。
  2. There are, broadly speaking, two ways of doing this.
     大致说来，做这件事有两种方法。
  3. Personally speaking, I've always preferred Italian food.
     就我个人来讲，我总是偏爱意大利菜。

no …/nothing to speak of

• 不值一提；微不足道
  such a small amount that it is not worth mentioning
  1. They've got no friends to speak of.
     他们没一个像样的朋友。
  2. She's saved a little money but nothing to speak of.
     她攒了一点钱，不过数目不值一提。

so to speak

• 可以说；可谓
  used to emphasize that you are expressing sth in an unusual or amusing way
  1. They were all very similar. All cut from the same cloth, so to speak.
     他们都十分相像。可以说就跟一块布上剪下来似的。

speak for itself/themselves

• 不言而喻；有目共睹
  to be so easy to see and understand that you do not need to say anything else about it/them
  1. Her success speaks for itself.
     她的成功有目共睹。

speak for myself/herself/himself, etc.

• 自己说（而非让别人替自己说）
  to express what you think or want yourself, rather than sb else doing it for you
  1. I'm quite capable of speaking for myself, thank you!
     我自己会说，谢谢了！

speak for yourself

• （告诉某人不要以为自己的概括性意见适用于大家）只说你自己，那是你
  used to tell sb that a general statement they have just made is not true of you
  1. ‘We didn't play very well.’ ‘Speak for yourself!’ (= I think that I played well.)
     “我们打得不太好。”“是说你自己吧！”

speaking as sth

• （表示从某种角度看问题）作为…来说
  used to say that you are the type of person mentioned and are expressing your opinion from that point of view
  1. Speaking as a parent, I'm very concerned about standards in education.
     作为家长，我十分关注教育的水准。

speak your mind

• 说心里话；说实在的；坦率地说
  to say exactly what you think, in a very direct way

speak out of turn

• 说话不合时宜（或不合身份）
  to say sth when you should not, for example because it is not the right time or you are not the right person to say it

speak volumes (about/for sth/sb)

• 充分说明；清楚表明
  to tell you a lot about sth/sb, without the need for words

speak well/ill of sb

• 称赞（或贬损）某人；说某人的好话（或坏话）
  to say good or bad things about sb

actions speak louder than words

• 行动比言语更为响亮
  what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do

speak/talk of the devil

• 说到某人，某人就到
  people say speak/talk of the devil when sb they have been talking about appears unexpectedly
  1. Well, speak of the devil─here's Alice now!
     嗬，说曹操，曹操就到——瞧，艾丽斯这不来啦！

the facts speak for themselves

• 事实足以说明一切
  it is not necessary to give any further explanation about sth because the information that is available already proves that it is true

speak/think ill of sb

• 说…的坏话；把…往坏处想
  to say or think bad things about sb
  1. Don't speak ill of the dead.
     对死去的人，别说他的短处。

speak/talk the same language

• （因意见和经历相似）能容易地沟通，说得来，有共同语言
  to be able to communicate easily with another person because you share similar opinions and experience

in a manner of speaking

• 可以说；不妨说；从某种意义上说
  if you think about it in a particular way; true in some but not all ways
  1. All these points of view are related, in a manner of speaking.
     所有这些观点都在某方面相互关联。

strictly speaking

• 严格说来
  if you are using words or rules in their exact or correct sense
  1. Strictly speaking, the book is not a novel, but a short story.
     严格说来，这部小说不能算长篇，而是短篇。

speak/talk out of turn

• 说话出格（或冒失、鲁莽、不合时宜）
  to say sth that you should not because it is the wrong situation or because it offends sb

verb

1. express in speech
   1. She talks a lot of nonsense
   2. This depressed patient does not verbalize

   Synonym:    talkuttermouthverbalizeverbalise

2. exchange thoughts
   1. We often talk business
   2. Actions talk louder than words

   Synonym:    talk

3. use language
   1. the baby talks already
   2. the prisoner won't speak
   3. they speak a strange dialect

   Synonym:    talk

4. give a speech to
   1. The chairman addressed the board of trustees

   Synonym:    address

5. make a characteristic or natural sound
   1. The drums spoke