speak
gb/spˈik/ us/spˈik/
A1
English
~ 400
beszél, beszél valakivel, beszélget, beszél valamiről, felszólal, beszédet mond
VERB
A1
1
beszél
A1
Usage pattern:
to speak [words]
She speaks three languages fluently.
Három nyelven beszél folyékonyan.
Please speak more slowly so everyone can understand.
Kérlek, beszélj lassabban, hogy mindenki megértse.
I spoke to my neighbor about the noise.
Learner examples
I speak English at school.
Az iskolában angolul beszélek.
Please speak slowly.
Kérlek, beszélj lassan.
She speaks to her teacher every day.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'speak' with 'say' or 'tell'. 'Speak' focuses on the act of talking, not on the content or the listener.
Meaning
say words using your voice
Collocations
speak clearly
|speak loudly
|speak slowly
|speak English
|speak the truth
Synonyms
talk (More general and informal; can also include conversation rather than just producing words.)
Antonyms
stay silent (Not producing any spoken words.)
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use your voice to say words.
To use your voice to say words so that others can hear them.
VERB
A1
2
beszélget
A2
Usage pattern:
to speak to/with [someone]
I need to speak with you about tomorrow's meeting.
Beszélnem kell veled a holnapi megbeszélésről.
She spoke to the doctor about her symptoms.
Beszélt az orvossal a tüneteiről.
They haven't spoken to each other in years.
Learner examples
I speak to my friend every day.
Minden nap beszélek a barátommal.
He speaks with his boss in the morning.
Reggelente beszél a főnökével.
She speaks to her mother on the phone.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'to' or 'with' when indicating the person being addressed.
Meaning
talk with someone
Collocations
speak to a friend
|speak with a manager
|speak directly
Synonyms
converse (More formal and less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately avoid talking to someone.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To talk with someone.
To talk or converse with someone, especially for a purpose or exchange of information.
VERB
B1
3
felszólal
B2
Usage pattern:
to speak [about/on] [topic]
She spoke about the importance of education.
Az oktatás fontosságáról beszélt.
He spoke in favor of the new policy.
Az új irányelv mellett szólalt fel.
Several people spoke against the proposal.
Learner examples
She speaks about her job.
A munkájáról beszél.
He speaks about his ideas.
Az ötleteiről beszél.
They speak about the plan.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'talk about', which is more informal but similar in meaning.
Meaning
express an opinion verbally
Collocations
speak frankly
|speak openly
|speak honestly
Synonyms
voice (Often used figuratively for expressing opinions or concerns.)
Antonyms
withhold (To keep an opinion or information to oneself.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say what you think or feel using words.
To express an idea, opinion, or feeling using spoken words.
VERB
B1
4
felszólal
B2
Usage pattern:
to speak at [event]
The president will speak at the opening ceremony.
Az elnök beszédet mond a megnyitó ünnepségen.
She was nervous about speaking in front of so many people.
Ideges volt, hogy ennyi ember előtt kell beszélnie.
He spoke to the crowd for over an hour.
Learner examples
She speaks at school events.
Iskolai rendezvényeken beszédet mond.
He speaks at meetings.
Értekezleteken felszólal.
They speak at big parties.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with casual 'talk', but here it implies formality and audience focus.
Meaning
give a formal address
Collocations
speak at a conference
|speak in public
|speak before an audience
Synonyms
address (More formal and specifically means speaking to an audience.)
Antonyms
listen (The opposite role in a communication event.)
Themes
communication
|public speaking
|work
Definition
To talk to a group of people in a formal way.
To address an audience formally, often as part of a meeting, conference, or event.
VERB
A1
5
beszél
A1
Usage pattern:
to speak [language]
Do you speak Japanese?
Beszélsz japánul?
She speaks French at home and English at work.
Otthon franciául beszél, a munkahelyén pedig angolul.
Many people in Switzerland speak several languages.
Learner examples
I speak Chinese.
Kínaiul beszélek.
He speaks English very well.
Nagyon jól beszél angolul.
They speak two languages.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'talk' instead of 'speak' for languages, but 'speak' is standard when naming a language.
Meaning
use a specific language to talk
Collocations
speak Spanish
|speak fluently
|speak a foreign language
Synonyms
use (a language) (More general term for applying a language skill.)
Antonyms
remain silent (Not using any language verbally.)
Themes
communication
|languages
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use a language when you talk.
To use a particular language when talking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
speak
IPA
GB/spˈik/
US/spˈik/
Syllables & stress
speak (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (speak)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: speak
- 3rd Person Singular: speaks
- Present Participle: speaking
- Past: spoke
- Past Participle: spoken
Word family
Forms
speaks
verb
speaking
verb
spoke
verb
spoken
verb
Related words
spokesperson
noun B2
outspoken
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
speechless
adjective B1
unspeakable
adjective
Advanced or less common
unspeakably
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular past: spoke Verb
- Irregular past participle: spoken Verb
Expressions
so to speak
1/sˈoʊ tə spˈik/
idiom
'in a manner of speaking' phrase
Used when what you say is not exactly true, but expresses your meaning in another way.
Examples
- We had to fight for our rights, so to speak.
- He's the brains of the operation, so to speak.
speak up
1/spˈik ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
talk louder so others hear you
To talk louder so people can hear you better.
Examples
- Could you speak up? I can't hear you from the back.
- She spoke up so everyone could hear her question.
frankly speaking
1/fɹˈæŋkli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
'honestly saying' phrase intro
Used before saying something in an honest and direct way.
Examples
- Frankly speaking, I don't think this will work.
- Frankly speaking, you should have been more careful.
frankly speaking
2/fɹˈæŋkli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
honestly speaking
Used before saying something in a very honest and direct way.
Examples
- Frankly speaking, I don’t trust him.
- Frankly speaking, the project has many problems.
speak of the devil
1/spˈik əv ðə dˈɛvəl/
idiom
informal
'person appears after mention' idiom
Said when someone appears just after you have been talking about them.
Examples
- Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you.
- Speak of the devil—here’s Anna now, just as we were talking about her new job.
- And then, speak of the devil, he walked into the room.
- We were complaining about our boss when, speak of the devil, he walked into the room.