在英语学习过程中,很多初学者会混淆 speak 和 tell 的用法。特别是在表达“讲故事”这个动作时,究竟该用哪一个动词呢?
正确答案:用 tell
英语中,“讲故事”的标准表达是:tell a story。
✅ 正确用法:
- She told us a funny story.
- Can you tell me a bedtime story?
- She told us a funny story.
- Can you tell me a bedtime story?
为什么不用 speak?
Speak 通常用于表示“说某种语言”或“讲话”这个行为本身,而不强调内容。例如:
✅ 正确用法:
- He speaks English fluently.
- Please don’t speak so loudly.
- He speaks English fluently.
- Please don’t speak so loudly.
但你不能说 “speak a story”,因为 speak 后面一般不接具体的内容宾语(如 story、lie、truth 等)。
小结
- ✅ tell + 人 + 内容:tell me a story, tell him the truth
- ❌ 不说:speak a story / speak me a story
- ✅ speak + 语言/场合:speak Chinese, speak at the meeting
记住这个口诀:“Tell the tale, speak the language.”