talk
gb/tˈɔk/ us/tˈɔk/
A1
English
~ 1100
beszél, megbeszél, beszélget, beszélgetés, előadás, kifecseg, elárul, vall
VERB
A1
1
beszél
A1
Usage pattern:
to talk to [someone] about [something]
We need to talk about our plans for the weekend.
Beszélnünk kell a hétvégi terveinkről.
I talked to my neighbor about the noise.
Beszéltem a szomszédommal a zajról.
She likes to talk with her friends after work.
They talked quietly so they wouldn’t wake the baby.
Let’s talk about your new job.
Learner examples
I want to talk to you.
Beszélni szeretnék veled.
We talk every day.
Mindennap beszélünk.
She talks to her mother on the phone.
He talks about his dog often.
Can we talk now?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'talk' and 'speak'. 'Talk' is more common in everyday conversation, while 'speak' can sound more formal.
Meaning
Speak to another person
Collocations
talk to someone
|talk about something
|talk with friends
|talk openly
|talk quietly
Synonyms
speak (More general and slightly more formal; can refer to giving speeches as well as conversation.)
Antonyms
listen (The opposite role in a conversation; focusing on hearing rather than speaking.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say words to another person.
To use spoken words to communicate with someone.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to talk about [topic]
We talked about the movie for hours.
Órákig beszélgettünk a filmről.
They talked over the details of the plan.
Megbeszélték a terv részleteit.
Let’s talk through your options before deciding.
He doesn’t like to talk about his past.
We need to talk business now.
Learner examples
We talk about school.
Az iskoláról beszélgetünk.
They talk about food.
Ételekről beszélgetnek.
She talks about her family.
He talks about his work.
We talk about the weather.
Meaning
Discuss a topic in speech
Collocations
talk about politics
|talk business
|talk over ideas
|talk through problems
Synonyms
discuss (More formal and deliberate; often implies careful consideration.)
Antonyms
ignore (To avoid mentioning or dealing with a topic.)
Themes
communication
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say things with someone about a subject.
To exchange ideas or information by speaking, often focusing on a particular subject.
NOUN
A2
3
beszélgetés
A2
Usage pattern:
to have a talk with [someone]
We had a long talk last night.
Tegnap este hosszú beszélgetésünk volt.
I need to have a serious talk with you.
Komolyan kell beszélnem veled.
The coach gave the team a pep talk.
Let’s have a private talk after the meeting.
Learner examples
We had a talk.
Beszélgettünk.
I want to have a talk with you.
Szeretnék beszélni veled.
They had a short talk.
She had a talk with her teacher.
Meaning
An instance of speaking or discussion
Collocations
have a talk
|private talk
|serious talk
|friendly talk
Synonyms
conversation (General term for an exchange of spoken words between people.)
Antonyms
silence (The absence of speech or conversation.)
Themes
communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A time when people speak together about something.
An act of speaking or having a conversation, especially about a specific topic.
NOUN
B1
4
előadás
B1
She gave a talk on climate change at the conference.
Előadást tartott a klímaváltozásról a konferencián.
The professor’s talk was very informative.
A professzor előadása nagyon informatív volt.
I attended a guest talk at the library.
Learner examples
He gave a talk at school.
Előadást tartott az iskolában.
She gave a talk on animals.
Előadást tartott az állatokról.
The teacher gave a talk about safety.
Meaning
Formal speech or presentation
Collocations
give a talk
|guest talk
|public talk
Synonyms
lecture (More formal and academic; often longer and structured.)
Themes
education
|communication
|work
Definition
A short speech given to people about something.
A formal speech or lecture given to an audience on a specific subject.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
The suspect refused to talk without his lawyer present.
A gyanúsított az ügyvédje jelenléte nélkül nem volt hajlandó vallomást tenni.
They tried to make him talk, but he stayed silent.
Megpróbálták vallomásra bírni, de hallgatott.
Don’t worry, I won’t talk.
Learner examples
He will not talk.
Nem fog vallani.
They made him talk.
Vallomásra bírták.
She talked about the secret.
Meaning
Reveal information by speaking
Collocations
talk under pressure
|make someone talk
Synonyms
confess (Implies admitting guilt or wrongdoing; not always under pressure from others.)
Antonyms
keep quiet (To refuse to reveal information.)
Themes
crime
|communication
|law
|relationships
Definition
To tell secret information by speaking.
To give away confidential or secret information by speaking, often unwillingly or under pressure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
talk
IPA
GB/tˈɔk/
US/tˈɔk/
Syllables & stress
talk (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (talk)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: talk
- Plural: talk, talks
Verb
- Base: talk
- 3rd Person Singular: talks
- Present Participle: talking
- Past: talked
Word family
Forms
talks
noun
talking
verb
talked
verb
Core family
talkative
adjective B1
Related words
talker
noun
Negative and opposite forms
untalkative
adjective
Expressions
talk about
1/tˈɔk əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Speak regarding something specific
To say things about a topic or subject.
Examples
- We need to talk about your grades.
- They talked about moving to another city.
talk down to
1/tˈɔk dˈaʊn tə/
phrasal verb
Speak condescendingly to someone
To speak to someone as if they are less smart or less important than you.
Examples
- Don’t talk down to me just because I’m younger.
talk into
1/tˈɔk ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
Persuade by speaking
To make someone agree to do something by talking about it.
Examples
- She talked me into going on the trip.
talk out of
1/tˈɔk ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
Dissuade by speaking
To make someone decide not to do something by talking about it.
Examples
- He talked me out of quitting my job.
talk to the hand
1/tˈɔk tə ðə hˈænd/
idiom
informal
Refuse to listen rudely
To say you will not listen to someone, often using your hand as a stop sign.
Examples
- When he tried to explain, she just said, 'Talk to the hand.'