概述
在英语学习中，speak 和 say 都表示“说”，但它们的用法和语境有所不同。正确区分二者有助于提升语言表达的准确性。
say 的用法
- say 通常强调“说的内容”，后接直接引语或间接引语。
- 常用于：say something, say to someone, say that...
- 例句：
- She said, “I’m tired.”
- He said he would come tomorrow.
- Don’t say that!
speak 的用法
- speak 更侧重“说话”这个动作或能力，常用于正式场合或指语言能力。
- 常用于：speak to/with someone, speak a language, speak at a meeting
- 例句：
- Can you speak English?
- She spoke to the manager about the issue.
- He will speak at the conference next week.
主要区别总结
- 内容 vs 动作：say 强调“说了什么”，speak 强调“说话行为或能力”。
- 宾语结构：say 后可直接跟内容（say “hello”），而 speak 通常不直接跟具体内容（不说 speak “hello”）。
- 正式程度：speak 更正式，常用于演讲、会议等；say 更口语化。
常见错误示例
- ❌ He spoke that he was busy. （应为：He said that he was busy.）
- ❌ She said English very well. （应为：She speaks English very well.）