speaks; spoke /ˈspoʊk/ ; spoken /ˈspoʊkən/ ; speaking speaks; spoke /ˈspoʊk/ ; spoken /ˈspoʊkən/ ; speaking Learner's definition of SPEAK
1
a [no object] : to say words in order to express your thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc., to someone : to talk to someone谈话；说话；交谈 -
Have you two spoken since yesterday?从昨天起你们两个说话了吗？
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She and I spoke this morning.今天早上她和我说话了。
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He never speaks at the meetings.他从不在会上发言。
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Without speaking, she walked from the room.她一言不发地从房间走来。
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They were speaking in Japanese.他们在用日语交谈。
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often + to -
We need to speak to our son's teacher about his grades.我们需要和儿子的老师谈谈他的成绩。
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He spoke to the police through an interpreter.他通过翻译和警方交谈。
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They spoke to each other in a whisper.他们互相低语。
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often + with in U.S. English在美国英语中常与with连用 -
The coach refused to speak with the reporters.教练拒绝与记者交谈。
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May I speak with you privately?我能私下和你谈一谈吗？
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I spoke with him on the phone yesterday.昨天我和他通了电话。
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often used at the beginning of telephone conversations常用于电话交谈的开端 b [no object] : to talk about a particular subject or person提起；讲述；谈到 —
often + about or of -
She spoke intelligently about the current political situation.她睿智地谈论当前的政治局势。
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He still speaks of his ex-wife with affection.谈到前妻时他仍然充满感情。
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The company is doing very well, financially speaking. [=is doing very well financially]就财务状况而言，公司运转很好。
c [no object] : to say words to express yourself in a particular way以…方式说 -
When I said you were my best friend, I was speaking sincerely.当我说你是我最好的朋友时，我是真诚的。
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Speaking personally, I don't think you should take the job. [=my personal opinion is that you should not take the job]就个人观点而言，我认为你不应该接受这份工作。
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Generally speaking, people like her as a leader. [=people in general like her as a leader]总的来说，大家喜欢她做领导。
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The restaurant isn't too expensive, comparatively/relatively speaking. [=when compared to other restaurants]相比较而言，这家饭店不是很贵。
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Speaking as a student (myself), I'm concerned about the alarming increase in school violence.作为一个学生，我很担心校园暴力事件的惊人增长。
d [+ object] : to say (something) to someone（向某人）说 -
She must be speaking the truth.她一定是在讲实情。
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Not a word was spoken between them the whole time.自始至终他们之间没说一句话。
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Don't be afraid to speak your mind. [=say what you think]别害怕说出心里话。
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Do not speak a word of this to anyone else. [=do not tell anyone else anything about this]别告诉其他人有关这件事的半点消息。
2
: to use your voice to say words说话 [no object]
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He has laryngitis and can't speak.他得了喉炎，不能说话。
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You're speaking too fast/loudly.你说话太快了/声音太大了。
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She speaks with a Southern accent.她说话带有美国南方口音。
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I was so surprised I could hardly speak.我太吃惊了，几乎说不出话来。
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She got a speaking part/role in the play. [=she got a part/role for which she says words]她在这部剧中得到了一个有台词的角色。
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He has a very deep speaking voice. [=his voice is very deep when he speaks]他说话声音十分低沉。
[+ object]
3
[no object] : to be willing to talk to someone after having a disagreement, fight, etc.和解交谈 -
They haven't spoken since the argument two years ago.自从两年前争吵过后他们没再说过话。
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Are they still not speaking?他们仍然互相不说话吗？
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He apologized, so I'm speaking with/to him again.他道了歉，我就又和他说话了。
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They're not on speaking terms. [=they're not friendly and do not speak to each other]他们互不交谈往来。
4
[+ object] : to use (a particular language) to talk to someone说（某种语言） -
He can speak German and French.他会说德语和法语。
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English is widely spoken in many parts of the world.英语在世界许多地方广泛使用。
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We didn't know what language they were speaking.我们不知道他们在说哪种语言。
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the Spanish-speaking population/world说西班牙语的人群；西班牙语社会
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I can't speak a word of French. [=I do not know any French]我一点也不会说法语。
5
[no object] : to talk about something formally to a group of people : to make or give a speech发言；演说；演讲 -
She was asked to speak at the conference.她受邀在大会上发言。
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He has a talent for speaking to large audiences.他有在大众前演讲的天赋。
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While most of the senators spoke against tax increases, one senator spoke in favor of them.大多数参议员都发言反对增加税收，但有一位发言表示支持。
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I have a speaking engagement [=I will be giving a speech] this evening.今晚我要做个演讲。
— see also public speaking
actions speak louder than words
— see action
in a manner of speaking
— see manner
so to speak
—
used to indicate that you are using words in an unusual or figurative way rather than a literal way可以说；可谓
speak for
[phrasal verb] 1
speak for (someone) : to express the thoughts or opinions of (someone)代…发言；代表…发言 -
They chose him to speak for the group.他们选他代表全组发言。
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Speaking only for myself, I'm against the plan. [=I'm only expressing my own opinion when I say that I'm against the plan]就我自己而言，我反对这个计划。
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“We don't want any dessert.” “Speak for yourself. I want some.”“我们不想要任何甜点。”“那是你们的意见。我想要一些。”
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often used figuratively常用作比喻 2
speak for (something or someone) chiefly US : to show that (something or someone) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.表明；证明 -
It speaks well for [=says a lot for] the company that it donates so much money to local charities.这家公司捐赠了大量钱款给当地慈善机构，说明这是家很不错的公司。
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Her calm reaction to the crisis speaks well for her ability to perform under pressure.她在危机中冷静的反应表明她有良好的抗压能力。
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The test results speak poorly for our school system.测试结果表明我们的学校体系欠佳。
3
be spoken for : to not be available because of already being claimed by someone else or in a relationship with someone else被预订；被占有
speak of
[phrasal verb] 1
speak of (someone or something) : to talk or write about (someone or something) : to mention (a subject) in speech or writing讲起；谈到；提到 -
Speaking of Jill, where is she?说起吉尔，她在哪里？
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It was the first time she spoke of going to law school.那是她首次提到要去法学院。
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She never speaks of her suffering during the war.她从不提她战争期间的磨难。
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In the letter, he spoke of feeling ill.他在信中提到身体不舒服。
2
speak of (something) : to indicate or suggest (something)表明；说明 3 speak of (someone or something)
a : to talk about (someone or something) in a specified way（以某方式）谈到，提到 b chiefly US : to show that (someone or something) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.表明；证明
speak of the devil
— see devil
speak out
[phrasal verb]
: to speak freely and confidently about something : to express an opinion in an open way大胆地说；公开表达 —
often + against
speak up
[phrasal verb] 1
: to speak loudly and clearly大声清楚地说 2
: to speak at a meeting, in a class, etc.发言 3
: to speak freely and confidently about something : to express an opinion openly大胆地说；公开地说 —
often + for
speak your mind
— see 1mind
to speak of
: worth mentioning or noticing值得一提 Synonyms同义词 speak and talk mean to express yourself by saying words.*speak和talk均指通过言语表达自己。 speak refers to anything that is said, whether it is understood or not and whether it is heard or not.*speak指说出的任何话，不管它是否被理解或听见。 talk suggests that there is a listener who understands what is said and often that both people do some speaking.*talk意指听者理解了所听到的内容并且双方常都有发言。