说
shuō
Speak · trad. 說
说 (shuō) is the most common and versatile verb for “to speak” or “to say” in Mandarin Chinese. It's used for general communication, expressing thoughts, or telling something.
When to use it
Neutral. It's widely used in all contexts. Another very common verb is 讲 (jiǎng), which is often interchangeable with 说, but can sometimes imply “to tell” or “to explain” more specifically. For “to talk” or “to chat” in a more conversational sense, use 谈 (tán).
How to pronounce it
Sounds roughly like “shwore” (like “shore” but with a slight “w” sound after the “sh”). It's a high, flat first tone.
Other ways to say it
- 讲jiǎngto speak, to tell (often interchangeable)
- 说话shuō huàto speak, to talk (general act of speaking)
- 谈tánto talk, to chat (implies conversation)
Examples
你会说中文吗？
nǐ huì shuō zhōng wén ma ？
Can you speak Chinese?
请再说一遍。
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn 。
Please say it again.
他喜欢和朋友说话。
tā xǐ huan hé péng yǒu shuō huà 。
He likes to talk with friends.
Pro tip: While 说 and 讲 are often interchangeable, 说 is more about the act of “saying” or “speaking a language,” while 讲 can sometimes carry a nuance of “explaining” or “telling a story.” 说话 is often used when there's no direct object, focusing on the general act of talking.
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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