speak
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Related to speak: speakeasy
speak
(spēk)v. spoke (spōk), spo·ken (spō′kən), speak·ing, speaks
v.intr.
1. To produce words by means of sounds; talk: Can the baby speak yet?
2.
a. To express thoughts or feelings to convey information in speech or writing: He spoke of his desire to travel. In her poem she speaks about loss.
b. To convey information or ideas in text: Their book speaks about adopting children.
3.
a. To engage in conversation: Can we speak for a few minutes about the assignment?
b. To be friendly or willing to communicate; be on speaking terms: They are no longer speaking.
4. To deliver an address or lecture: The mayor spoke at the rally.
5.
a. To act as spokesperson: I speak for the entire staff.
b. To convey information through another person: The family spoke to the media through their trusted adviser.
6.
a. To convey a message by nonverbal means: Actions speak louder than words.
b. To give an indication or suggestion: His manners spoke of good upbringing.
c. To be appealing: His poetry speaks to one's heart.
7. To make a reservation or request. Used with for: Has anyone spoken for the last piece of pizza?
8.
a. To produce a characteristic sound: The drums spoke.
b. To give off a sound on firing. Used of guns or cannon.
v.tr.
Phrasal Verbs: 1. To say with the voice; pronounce or utter: She spoke the words with a French accent.
2. To converse in or be able to converse in (a language): speaks German.
3. To express in words; tell: speak the truth.
4. Nautical To hail and communicate with (another vessel) at sea.
5. To convey by nonverbal means: His eyes spoke volumes.
speak out
To talk freely and fearlessly, as about a public issue.
speak up
Idioms: 1. To speak loud enough to be audible.
2. To speak without fear or hesitation.
so to speak
Used to call attention to a choice of words, and especially to the metaphoric or expressive nature of a word or phrase: can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak.
speak down to
To speak condescendingly to: She never spoke down to her audience.
spoken for
Reserved or requested: Is that seat spoken for?
to speak of
Worthy of mention: There's nothing new to speak of.
[Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan.]
speak′a·ble adj.
Synonyms: speak, talk, converse1, discourse
These verbs mean to express one's thoughts by uttering words. Speak and talk, often interchangeable, are the most general: "On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure" (Oscar Wilde)."If you want to talk about human experience, then let's talk about it" (Deborah Eisenberg).
Converse stresses interchange of thoughts and ideas: "With thee conversing I forget all time" (John Milton).
Discourse usually refers to formal, extended speech: "When there was nothing to say, he discoursed on the nature of silence" (Stacy Schiff).
These verbs mean to express one's thoughts by uttering words. Speak and talk, often interchangeable, are the most general: "On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure" (Oscar Wilde)."If you want to talk about human experience, then let's talk about it" (Deborah Eisenberg).
Converse stresses interchange of thoughts and ideas: "With thee conversing I forget all time" (John Milton).
Discourse usually refers to formal, extended speech: "When there was nothing to say, he discoursed on the nature of silence" (Stacy Schiff).
Word History: Because English is a Germanic language, first-year German produces many moments of recognition for English speakers and several puzzles. For example, when we learn the verb sprechen, "to speak," and the noun Sprache, "speech, language," we wonder whether we lost the r or the Germans put one in. Sounds are more often lost than added in language change, and this is the case here. In Old English the verb was sprecan and the noun sprǣc, both with an r as in German (and in the other Germanic languages). The r-less forms began to appear in the south of England and became common in the 11th century; the forms with r disappeared completely by the middle of the 12th. A similar loss of r after a consonant and before a vowel occurred in the Middle English noun prang and its variant pronge, "severe pain, sharp pain." Pronge survives today as prong (of a pitchfork, for example). The plural of prang appears in a poem composed about 1400 as pangus, "sharp stabs of pain," and survives today as pang, "sharp, stabbing pain."
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
speak
(spiːk)vb, speaks, speaking, spoke or spoken
1. to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)
2. to communicate or express (something) in or as if in words: I speak the truth.
3. (intr) to deliver a speech, discourse, etc
4. (Linguistics) (tr) to know how to talk in (a language or dialect): he does not speak German.
5. (intr) to make a characteristic sound: the clock spoke.
6. (Hunting) (intr) (of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark
7. (Nautical Terms) (tr) nautical to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea
8. (Instruments) (intr) (of a musical instrument) to produce a sound
9. (foll by: for) to be a representative or advocate (of): he speaks for all the members.
10. on speaking terms on good terms; friendly
11. so to speak in a manner of speaking; as it were
12. speak one's mind to express one's opinions frankly and plainly
13. to speak of of a significant or worthwhile nature: we have had no support to speak of.
[Old English specan; related to Old High German spehhan, Middle High German spechten to gossip, Middle Dutch speken; see speech]
ˈspeakable adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
speak
(spik)v. spoke, spo•ken, speak•ing. v.i.
1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk.
2. to communicate vocally; mention.
3. to converse.
4. to deliver an address, discourse, etc.
5. to make a statement in written or printed words.
6. to communicate, signify, or disclose by any means.
7. to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report.
v.t. 8. to utter vocally and articulately.
9. to express or make known with the voice.
10. to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication.
11. to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance: to speak French.
12. to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal.
13. Archaic. to speak to or with.
14. speak for, to speak in behalf of.
15. speak out, to express one's opinion openly and unreservedly.
16. speak up,
Idioms: a. to speak loud enough to be heard.
b. to speak out.
1. so to speak, figuratively speaking: We lost our shirt, so to speak.
2. speak well for, to be an indication or reflection of (something commendable).
3. to speak of, worth mentioning: no debts to speak of.
[before 900; Middle English speken, Old English specan, variant of sprecan, c. Old Frisian spreka, Old Saxon sprekan, Old High German sprehhan]
speak′a•ble, adj.
-speak
a combining form extracted from newspeak, used in the formation of compound words that denote the vocabulary of a field, person, era, etc.: adspeak; artspeak; futurespeak.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
speak
– say – tell1. 'speak'
When you speak, you use your voice to produce words. The past tense of speak is spoke. The -ed participle is spoken.
They spoke very enthusiastically about their trip.
I've spoken to Raja and he agrees with me.
2. 'say'
Don't use 'speak' to report what someone says. Don't say, for example, 'He spoke that the doctor had arrived'. Say 'He said that the doctor had arrived'.
I said that I would like to teach English.
He said it was an accident.
3. 'tell'
If you mention the person who is being spoken to as well as what was said, use tell.
He told me that he was a farmer.
I told her what the doctor had said.
4. 'talk'
See speak - talk
speak
– talkSpeak and talk have very similar meanings, but there are some differences in the ways in which they are used.
1. 'speaking' and 'talking'
When saying that someone is using his or her voice to produce words, you usually say that they are speaking.
Please be quiet when I am speaking.
He was speaking so quickly I found it hard to understand.
However, if two or more people are having a conversation, you usually say that they are talking. You don't say that they 'are speaking'.
I think she was listening to us while we were talking.
They sat in the kitchen drinking and talking.
2. used with 'to' and 'with'
If you have a conversation with someone, you can say that you speak to them or talk to them.
I saw you speaking to him just now.
I enjoyed talking to Ana.
You can also say that you speak with someone or talk with someone. This use is particularly common in American English.
He spoke with his friends and told them what had happened.
I talked with his mother many times.
When you make a telephone call, you ask if you can speak to someone. You don't ask if you can 'talk to' them.
Hello. Could I speak to Sue, please?
3. used with 'about'
If you speak about something, you describe it to a group of people, for example in a lecture.
I spoke about my experiences at University.
She spoke for twenty minutes about the political situation.
In conversation, you can refer to the thing someone is discussing as the thing they are talking about.
You know the book I'm talking about.
I think he was talking about behaviour in the classroom.
You can refer in a general way to what someone is saying as what they are talking about.
'I saw you at the concert.' – 'What are you talking about? I wasn't there!'
If two or more people are discussing something, you say they are talking about it. Don't say they 'are speaking about' it.
The men were talking about some medical problem.
Everybody will be talking about it at school tomorrow.
4. languages
You say that someone speaks or can speak a language.
They spoke fluent English.
How many languages can you speak?
You don't say that someone 'talks' a language.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'in' when you are talking about someone's ability to speak a language, and don't use a progressive form. Don't say, for example, 'She speaks in Dutch' or 'She is speaking Dutch' to mean that she is able to speak Dutch.
Be Careful!
If you hear some people talking, you can say 'Those people are speaking in Dutch' or 'Those people are talking in Dutch'.
She heard them talking in French.
They are speaking in Arabic.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
speak
Past participle: spoken
Gerund: speaking
| Imperative |
|---|
| speak |
| speak |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. | speak - express in speech; "She talks a lot of nonsense"; "This depressed patient does not verbalize" read - look at, interpret, and say out loud something that is written or printed; "The King will read the proclamation at noon" communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings; "He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist" troll - speak or recite rapidly or in a rolling voice begin - begin to speak or say; "Now listen, friends," he began lip off, shoot one's mouth off - speak spontaneously and without restraint; "She always shoots her mouth off and says things she later regrets" shout - utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking); "My grandmother is hard of hearing--you'll have to shout" whisper - speak softly; in a low voice peep - speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice speak up - speak louder; raise one's voice; "The audience asked the lecturer to please speak up" snap, snarl - utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone; "The sales clerk snapped a reply at the angry customer"; "The guard snarled at us" enthuse - utter with enthusiasm speak in tongues - speak unintelligibly in or as if in religious ecstasy; "The parishioners spoke in tongues" swallow - utter indistinctly; "She swallowed the last words of her speech" whiff - utter with a puff of air; "whiff out a prayer" talk of, talk about - discuss or mention; "They spoke of many things" blubber out, blubber - utter while crying stammer, stutter, bumble, falter - speak haltingly; "The speaker faltered when he saw his opponent enter the room" rasp - utter in a grating voice blunder out, blurt, blurt out, blunder - utter impulsively; "He blurted out the secret"; "He blundered his stupid ideas" deliver, present - deliver (a speech, oration, or idea); "The commencement speaker presented a forceful speech that impressed the students" generalise, generalize - speak or write in generalities blabber, palaver, piffle, prate, prattle, tattle, tittle-tattle, twaddle, gabble, gibber, blab, clack, maunder, chatter - speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly chatter - make noise as if chattering away; "The magpies were chattering in the trees" open up - talk freely and without inhibition murmur - speak softly or indistinctly; "She murmured softly to the baby in her arms" slur - utter indistinctly bark - speak in an unfriendly tone; "She barked into the dictaphone" bay - utter in deep prolonged tones cackle - talk or utter in a cackling manner; "The women cackled when they saw the movie star step out of the limousine" babble - utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way; "The old man is only babbling--don't pay attention" intone, tone, chant - utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically; "The students chanted the same slogan over and over again" gulp - utter or make a noise, as when swallowing too quickly; "He gulped for help after choking on a big piece of meat" sing - produce tones with the voice; "She was singing while she was cooking"; "My brother sings very well" speak up - speak louder; raise one's voice; "The audience asked the lecturer to please speak up" |
| 2. | speak - exchange thoughts; talk with; "We often talk business"; "Actions talk louder than words" communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings; "He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist" proceed, continue, carry on, go on - continue talking; "I know it's hard," he continued, "but there is no choice"; "carry on--pretend we are not in the room" dissertate, hold forth, discourse - talk at length and formally about a topic; "The speaker dissertated about the social politics in 18th century England" pontificate - talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner; "The new professor always pontificates" orate - talk pompously talk down - speak in a condescending manner, as if to a child; "He talks down to her" spiel - speak at great length (about something) cheek - speak impudently to level - talk frankly with; lay it on the line; "I have to level with you" talk turkey - discuss frankly, often in a business context chat up, coquet, coquette, flirt, mash, philander, romance, dally, butterfly - talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions; "The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries"; "My husband never flirts with other women" dish the dirt, gossip - wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies; "She won't dish the dirt" rap - talk volubly speak for - be a spokesperson for; "He represents the Government's position" | |
| 3. | speak - use language; "the baby talks already"; "the prisoner won't speak"; "they speak a strange dialect" communicate, intercommunicate - transmit thoughts or feelings; "He communicated his anxieties to the psychiatrist" run on - talk or narrate at length smatter - speak with spotty or superficial knowledge; "She smatters Russian" slang - use slang or vulgar language | |
| 4. |  speak - give a speech to; "The chairman addressed the board of trustees"blaze away - speak with fire and passion; "He blazed away at his opponents in the Senate" memorialise, memorialize - address in a memorial; "The President memorialized the heroes of the battle" keynote - give the keynote address to (an audience) harangue - deliver a harangue to; address forcefully | |
| 5. | speak - make a characteristic or natural sound; "The drums spoke" sound - give off a certain sound or sounds; "This record sounds scratchy" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
speak
verb
1. talk, say something The President spoke of the need for territorial compromise.
2. articulate, say, voice, pronounce, utter, tell, state, talk, express, communicate, make known, enunciate The very act of speaking the words gave him comfort.
3. converse, talk, chat, discourse, confer, commune, have a word, have a talk, natter (Brit. informal), exchange views, shoot the breeze (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.) It was very emotional when we spoke again.
4. lecture, talk, discourse, spout (informal), make a speech, pontificate, give a speech, declaim, hold forth, spiel (informal), address an audience, deliver an address, orate, speechify Last month I spoke in front of two thousand people in Birmingham.
5. deal with, discuss, go into, write about, be concerned with, touch upon, discourse upon Throughout the book Liu speaks of the abuse of Party power.
speak for something or someone
1. represent, act for or on behalf of, appear for, hold a brief for, hold a mandate for It was the job of the church to speak for the underprivileged.
2. support, back, champion, defend, promote, advocate, fight for, uphold, commend, espouse, stick up for (informal) a role in which he would be seen as speaking for the Government
speak out or up
1. speak publicly, have your say, speak your mind, sound off, stand up and be counted, speak openly, speak frankly, make your position plain She continued to speak out at rallies around the country.
2. speak loudly, raise your voice, make yourself heard, say it loud and clear I'm quite deaf - you'll have to speak up.
speak to someone
1. reprimand, rebuke, scold, check, lecture, censure, reproach, tick off (informal), castigate, chide, dress down (informal), admonish, tell off (informal), take to task, read the riot act, tongue-lash, reprove, upbraid, slap on the wrist (informal), bawl out (informal), rap over the knuckles, haul over the coals (informal), tear (someone) off a strip (Brit. informal), reprehend, give (someone) a row (informal), send someone away with a flea in his or her ear (informal) This is not the first time I have had to speak to you about your timekeeping.
2. address, talk to, accost, direct your words at, apostrophize Are you speaking to me?
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
speak
verb1. To engage in spoken exchange:
3. To express oneself in speech:
Idioms: open one's mouth, put in words, wag one's tongue.
speak for
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
يَتَحَدَّث معيَتَكَلَّمُيَتَكَلَّميَتَكَلَّم لَغَةً أخْرىيُعَبِّر عن
mluvitříkathovořit
taleholde talesige
paroli
rääkima
puhua
govoriti
beszélni
halda ræîusegjatalatala/ræîa viî
話す語る言う
말하다
dicere
būti vertam dėmesiogarsiai kalbėtigarsiau kalbėtiištartaskalbamasis
izteiktrunātrunātiessarunātiesteikt runu
discutavorbi
mať prejav
govoriti
tala
ongea
พูด
nói
speak
[spiːk] (spoke (pt) (spoken (pp)))A. VI
1. → hablar
to speak to sb → hablar con algn
have you spoken to him? → ¿has hablado con él?
she never spoke to me again → no volvió a dirigirme la palabra
since they quarrelled they don't speak to each other → desde que riñeron no se hablan
I don't know him to speak to → no lo conozco bastante como para hablar con él
I know him to speak to → lo conozco bastante bien para cambiar algunas palabras con él
did you speak? → ¿dijiste algo?
technically/biologically speaking → en términos técnicos/biológicos, desde el punto de vista técnico/biológico
I'll speak to him about it (= discuss it with him) → lo hablaré con él; (= point it out to him) → se lo diré
speaking as a student myself → hablando desde mi experiencia como estudiante
we're not speaking → no nos hablamos
speak now or forever hold your peace → hable ahora o guarde para siempre silencio
he's very well spoken of → tiene buen nombre or buena fama
speaking of holidays → a propósito de las vacaciones ...
it's nothing to speak of → no tiene importancia
he has no money to speak of → no tiene dinero que digamos
everything spoke of hatred → en todo había un odio latente
everything spoke of luxury → todo reflejaba el lujo
speaking personally → en cuanto a mí ..., yo por mi parte ...
roughly speaking → en términos generales
so to speak → por decirlo así, por así decir
to speak well of sb → hablar bien de algn
to speak in a whisper → hablar bajo
to speak to sb → hablar con algn
have you spoken to him? → ¿has hablado con él?
she never spoke to me again → no volvió a dirigirme la palabra
since they quarrelled they don't speak to each other → desde que riñeron no se hablan
I don't know him to speak to → no lo conozco bastante como para hablar con él
I know him to speak to → lo conozco bastante bien para cambiar algunas palabras con él
did you speak? → ¿dijiste algo?
technically/biologically speaking → en términos técnicos/biológicos, desde el punto de vista técnico/biológico
I'll speak to him about it (= discuss it with him) → lo hablaré con él; (= point it out to him) → se lo diré
speaking as a student myself → hablando desde mi experiencia como estudiante
we're not speaking → no nos hablamos
speak now or forever hold your peace → hable ahora o guarde para siempre silencio
he's very well spoken of → tiene buen nombre or buena fama
speaking of holidays → a propósito de las vacaciones ...
it's nothing to speak of → no tiene importancia
he has no money to speak of → no tiene dinero que digamos
everything spoke of hatred → en todo había un odio latente
everything spoke of luxury → todo reflejaba el lujo
speaking personally → en cuanto a mí ..., yo por mi parte ...
roughly speaking → en términos generales
so to speak → por decirlo así, por así decir
to speak well of sb → hablar bien de algn
to speak in a whisper → hablar bajo
2. (= make a speech, give one's opinion) → hablar
he spoke on Greek myths → habló sobre los mitos griegos
when the minister had spoken → cuando terminó de hablar el ministro ...
the member rose to speak → el diputado se levantó para tomar la palabra
the chairman asked Mr Wright to speak → el presidente le concedió la palabra al Sr. Wright
are you speaking in the debate? → ¿interviene usted en el debate?
he spoke on Greek myths → habló sobre los mitos griegos
when the minister had spoken → cuando terminó de hablar el ministro ...
the member rose to speak → el diputado se levantó para tomar la palabra
the chairman asked Mr Wright to speak → el presidente le concedió la palabra al Sr. Wright
are you speaking in the debate? → ¿interviene usted en el debate?
3. (Telec) speaking! → ¡al habla!
"could I speak to Alison?" - "speaking!" → -¿podría hablar con Alison? -¡al habla! or -¡soy yo! or (esp LAm) -¡con ella!
this is Peter speaking → ¡soy Peter!, ¡habla Peter!
may I speak to Mr Jones? → ¿me pone con el Sr. Jones, por favor?
who is that speaking? → ¿con quién hablo?, ¿quién es?; (taking message) → ¿de parte (de quién)?
"could I speak to Alison?" - "speaking!" → -¿podría hablar con Alison? -¡al habla! or -¡soy yo! or (esp LAm) -¡con ella!
this is Peter speaking → ¡soy Peter!, ¡habla Peter!
may I speak to Mr Jones? → ¿me pone con el Sr. Jones, por favor?
who is that speaking? → ¿con quién hablo?, ¿quién es?; (taking message) → ¿de parte (de quién)?
B. VT
1. (= talk) [+ language] → hablar
he speaks Italian → habla italiano
do you speak English? → ¿hablas inglés?
he can speak seven languages → habla siete idiomas
"English spoken here" → se habla inglés
he speaks Italian → habla italiano
do you speak English? → ¿hablas inglés?
he can speak seven languages → habla siete idiomas
"English spoken here" → se habla inglés
2. (= utter) → decir
to speak one's mind → hablar claro or con franqueza
to speak the truth → decir la verdad
nobody spoke a word → nadie habló, nadie dijo palabra
to speak one's mind → hablar claro or con franqueza
to speak the truth → decir la verdad
nobody spoke a word → nadie habló, nadie dijo palabra
speak for VI + PREP
1. to speak for sb (as representative) → hablar por algn, hablar en nombre de algn; (as defender) → interceder por algn
he speaks for the miners → habla por los mineros, representa a los mineros
speaking for myself → en cuanto a mí, yo por mi parte
speak for yourself! → ¡eso lo dirás tú!
let her speak for herself → déjala que hable
he speaks for the miners → habla por los mineros, representa a los mineros
speaking for myself → en cuanto a mí, yo por mi parte
speak for yourself! → ¡eso lo dirás tú!
let her speak for herself → déjala que hable
2. it speaks for itself → es evidente, habla por sí mismo
the facts speak for themselves → los datos hablan por sí solos
the facts speak for themselves → los datos hablan por sí solos
3. to be spoken for: that's already been spoken for → eso ya está reservado or apartado
she's already spoken for → ya está comprometida
she's already spoken for → ya está comprometida
speak out VI + ADV he's not afraid to speak out → no tiene miedo a decir lo que piensa
to speak out against sth → denunciar algo
to speak out for or on behalf of sb → defender a algn
to speak out against sth → denunciar algo
to speak out for or on behalf of sb → defender a algn
speak up VI + ADV
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
speak
[ˈspiːk] [spoke] [ˈspəʊk] (pt) [spoken] [ˈspəʊkən] (pp) vt
vi
(= talk) → parler
to speak to sb → parler à qn
Have you spoken to him? → Tu lui as parlé?
She spoke to him about it → Elle lui en a parlé.
to speak about sth → parler de qch
speaking! (on telephone) → lui-même, elle-même
speaking as a parent → en tant que parent
I spoke too soon → j'ai parlé trop vite
no ... to speak of
He has no money to speak of → Il n'a pas d'argent à proprement parler.
nothing to speak of → rien qui vaille la peine d'en parler
not to speak of ... (= not to mention) → sans parler de ...
speaking of sth (= since we are speaking of it) → en parlant de qch
so to speak → pour ainsi dire
actions speak louder than words → les actes sont plus éloquents que les paroles
to speak well of sb → dire du bien de qn
to speak highly of sb → dire le plus grand bien de qn
to speak ill of sb → dire du mal de qn
generally speaking → d'une manière générale
roughly speaking → approximativement
to speak to sb → parler à qn
Have you spoken to him? → Tu lui as parlé?
She spoke to him about it → Elle lui en a parlé.
to speak about sth → parler de qch
speaking! (on telephone) → lui-même, elle-même
speaking as a parent → en tant que parent
I spoke too soon → j'ai parlé trop vite
no ... to speak of
He has no money to speak of → Il n'a pas d'argent à proprement parler.
nothing to speak of → rien qui vaille la peine d'en parler
not to speak of ... (= not to mention) → sans parler de ...
speaking of sth (= since we are speaking of it) → en parlant de qch
so to speak → pour ainsi dire
actions speak louder than words → les actes sont plus éloquents que les paroles
to speak well of sb → dire du bien de qn
to speak highly of sb → dire le plus grand bien de qn
to speak ill of sb → dire du mal de qn
generally speaking → d'une manière générale
roughly speaking → approximativement
(= make a speech) → parler
The President spoke of the need for compromise → Le Président a parlé du besoin de compromis.
The Prime Minister spoke to the nation on television
BUT Le Premier ministre s'est adressé à la nation à la télévision.
to speak at a conference → parler lors d'une conférence, prendre la parole lors d'une conférence
The President spoke of the need for compromise → Le Président a parlé du besoin de compromis.
The Prime Minister spoke to the nation on television
BUT Le Premier ministre s'est adressé à la nation à la télévision.
to speak at a conference → parler lors d'une conférence, prendre la parole lors d'une conférence
to speak of sth (= be evidence of) → indiquer qch, montrer qch
His behaviour spoke of an early maturity → Son comportement montrait une maturité précoce., Son comportement indiquait une maturité précoce.
His behaviour spoke of an early maturity → Son comportement montrait une maturité précoce., Son comportement indiquait une maturité précoce.
speak for
vt fus (= represent) → parler au nom de
speak for yourself! → parle pour toi!
it speaks for itself (= needs no explanation) → cela se passe d'explication
the facts speak for themselves → les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes
the results speak for themselves → les résultats parlent d'eux mêmes
speak for yourself! → parle pour toi!
it speaks for itself (= needs no explanation) → cela se passe d'explication
the facts speak for themselves → les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes
the results speak for themselves → les résultats parlent d'eux mêmes
to be spoken for [person] → être pris(e); [object] → être réservé(e)
That picture is already spoken for → Ce tableau est déjà réservé.
to speak out against sth → s'élever contre qch
to speak out in favour of sth → plaider la cause de qch
That picture is already spoken for → Ce tableau est déjà réservé.
speak out
vi → parler haut et fortto speak out against sth → s'élever contre qch
to speak out in favour of sth → plaider la cause de qch
speak up
vi (= say what one thinks) → dire ce que l'on pense
Don't be afraid to speak up → N'ayez pas peur de dire ce que vous pensez.
to speak up for sb → défendre qn, prendre la défense de qn
to speak up about sth (= break silence) → parler ouvertement de qch
Don't be afraid to speak up → N'ayez pas peur de dire ce que vous pensez.
to speak up for sb → défendre qn, prendre la défense de qn
to speak up about sth (= break silence) → parler ouvertement de qch
(= speak more loudly) → parler plus fort
Speak up! → Parle plus fort!
Speak up, we can't hear you → Parle plus fort, nous ne t'entendons pas.
Speak up! → Parle plus fort!
Speak up, we can't hear you → Parle plus fort, nous ne t'entendons pas.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
speak
pret <spoke or (obs) spake>, ptp <spoken or (obs) spoke>vt
vi
(= talk, be on speaking terms) → sprechen, reden (→ about über +acc, → von); (= converse) → reden, sich unterhalten (with mit); (fig, guns, drums) → sprechen, ertönen; to speak to or with somebody → mit jdm sprechen or reden; did you speak? → haben Sie etwas gesagt?; to speak in a whisper → flüstern; speak, don’t shout → nun schreien Sie doch nicht (so)!; they don’t speak (to one another) → sie reden or sprechen nicht miteinander; I’m not speaking to you → mit dir rede or spreche ich nicht mehr; she never spoke to me again → seitdem hat sie nie wieder mit mir geredet or gesprochen; to speak to oneself → Selbstgespräche führen; I’ll speak to him about it (euph: = admonish) → ich werde ein Wörtchen mit ihm reden; I’ll have to speak to my lawyer about it → das muss ich mit meinem Anwalt besprechen; speak when you’re spoken to → antworte, wenn man mit dir redet or spricht; servants should only speak when spoken to → Diener sollten nur dann etwas sagen, wenn man sie anspricht; I don’t know him to speak to → ich kenne ihn nicht näher; music speaks directly to the soul → Musik spricht die Seele an; speaking of dictionaries … → da or wo wir gerade von Wörterbüchern sprechen …, apropos Wörterbücher …; not to speak of … → ganz zu schweigen von …; it’s nothing to speak of → es ist nicht weiter erwähnenswert, es ist nichts weiter; no money/trees etc to speak of → so gut wie kein Geld/keine Bäume etc; to speak ill of somebody/something → über jdn/etw schlecht reden; to speak well of somebody/something → jdn/etw loben, (nur) Gutes über jdn/etw sagen; he is well spoken of → er genießt große Achtung; so to speak → sozusagen, eigentlich; roughly speaking → grob gesagt; strictly speaking → genau genommen; legally/biologically speaking → rechtlich/biologisch gesehen; generally speaking → im Allgemeinen; speaking personally … → wenn Sie mich fragen …, was mich betrifft …; speaking as a member of the club I have … → als Mitglied des Vereins habe ich …; to speak down to somebody → jdn von oben herab behandeln
(= make a speech) → reden (on zu), sprechen (on zu); (= give one’s opinion) → sich äußern (on, to zu); to speak in public → in der Öffentlichkeit reden; to speak in the debate → in der Debatte das Wort ergreifen; to ask somebody to speak → jdm das Wort erteilen; Mr X will speak next → als Nächster hat Herr X das Wort; then Geoffrey rose to speak → dann stand Geoffrey auf, um das Wort zu ergreifen
n suf Euro-speak → Eurojargon m
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
speak
[spiːk] (spoke (vb: pt) (spoken (pp)))1. vt (words, lines) → dire; (language) → parlare
she speaks Italian → parla italiano
to speak the truth → dire la verità
to speak one's mind → dire quello che si pensa
she speaks Italian → parla italiano
to speak the truth → dire la verità
to speak one's mind → dire quello che si pensa
2. vi
a. (gen) → parlare
to speak to sb → parlare a qn (converse with) → parlare con qn
to speak about (or on or of) sth → parlare di qc
to speak in a whisper → bisbigliare
they haven't spoken to each other since they quarrelled → da quando hanno litigato non si rivolgono la parola
I'll speak to him about it (problem, idea) → gliene parlerò (his lateness) → glielo farò presente
to speak at a conference/in a debate → intervenire or prendere la parola ad una conferenza/in un dibattito
he's very well spoken of → tutti ne parlano bene
I don't know him to speak to → lo conosco solo di vista
so to speak → per così dire
it's nothing to speak of → non è niente di speciale
he has no money to speak of → non si può proprio dire che sia ricco
speaking of holidays → a proposito di vacanze
roughly speaking → grosso modo
speaking for myself → per quel che mi riguarda
speaking as a student myself, I ... → in qualità di studente, io...
generally speaking → generalmente parlando
to speak to sb → parlare a qn (converse with) → parlare con qn
to speak about (or on or of) sth → parlare di qc
to speak in a whisper → bisbigliare
they haven't spoken to each other since they quarrelled → da quando hanno litigato non si rivolgono la parola
I'll speak to him about it (problem, idea) → gliene parlerò (his lateness) → glielo farò presente
to speak at a conference/in a debate → intervenire or prendere la parola ad una conferenza/in un dibattito
he's very well spoken of → tutti ne parlano bene
I don't know him to speak to → lo conosco solo di vista
so to speak → per così dire
it's nothing to speak of → non è niente di speciale
he has no money to speak of → non si può proprio dire che sia ricco
speaking of holidays → a proposito di vacanze
roughly speaking → grosso modo
speaking for myself → per quel che mi riguarda
speaking as a student myself, I ... → in qualità di studente, io...
generally speaking → generalmente parlando
speak for vi + prep to speak for sb → parlare a nome di qn
speak for yourself! (fam) → parla per te!
let her speak for herself → lascia che dica la sua opinione
it speaks for itself → parla da sé
that picture is already spoken for (in shop) → quel quadro è già stato venduto
speak for yourself! (fam) → parla per te!
let her speak for herself → lascia che dica la sua opinione
it speaks for itself → parla da sé
that picture is already spoken for (in shop) → quel quadro è già stato venduto
speak up vi + adv
b. (fig) (also speak out) → parlare apertamente
to speak out against sth → dichiararsi pubblicamente contrario/a a qc
to speak up for sb → parlare a favore di qn
to speak out against sth → dichiararsi pubblicamente contrario/a a qc
to speak up for sb → parlare a favore di qn
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
speak
(spiːk) – past tense spoke (spouk) : past participle ˈspoken (ˈspoukən) – verb1. to say (words) or talk. He can't speak; He spoke a few words to us.
2. (often with to or (American) with) to talk or converse. Can I speak to/with you for a moment?; We spoke for hours about it.
3. to (be able to) talk in (a language). She speaks Russian.
4. to tell or make known (one's thoughts, the truth etc). I always speak my mind.
5. to make a speech, address an audience. The Prime Minister spoke on unemployment.
ˈspeaker noun1. a person who is or was speaking.
2. (sometimes ˌloudˈspeaker) the device in a radio, record-player etc which converts the electrical impulses into audible sounds. Our record-player needs a new speaker.
ˈspeaking adjective1. involving speech. a speaking part in a play.
2. used in speech. a pleasant speaking voice.
ˈspoken adjective produced by speaking. the spoken word.
-spoken speaking in a particular way. plain-spoken; smooth-spoken.
generally speaking in general. Generally speaking, men are stronger than women.
speak for itself/themselves to have an obvious meaning; not to need explaining. The facts speak for themselves.
speak out to say boldly what one thinks. I feel the time has come to speak out.
speak up to speak (more) loudly. Speak up! We can't hear you!
to speak of worth mentioning. He has no talent to speak of.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
speak
→ يَتَكَلَّمُ mluvit tale sprechen μιλώ hablar puhua parler govoriti parlare 話す 말하다 spreken snakke powiedzieć falar говорить tala พูด konuşmak nói 发言Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
speak
vi. hablar;
___ louder → hable, habla más alto;
___ slowly → hable, habla despacio.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
- Could you speak louder, please?
- Could you speak more slowly, please?
- Do you speak English?
- I don't speak English
- I speak very little English
- What languages do you speak?
- I speak ...
- May I speak to ...? (US)
Can I speak to ...? (UK) - I'd like to speak to ..., please
- May I speak to Mr. ...? (US)
Can I speak to Mr ...? (UK) - May I speak to Ms. ..., please? (US)
Can I speak to Ms ..., please? (UK) - I'd like to speak to the manager, please
- Could I speak to the owner, please?
- Does anyone here speak ...?
- I want to speak to a policewoman
- I'd like to speak to a doctor
- I'd like to speak to a female doctor
- I'd like to speak to a nurse
- May I speak to you in private? (US)
Can I speak to you in private? (UK)
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
speak
vt, vi (pret spoke; pp spoken) hablarEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.