Meanings of 说
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About 说
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Podcast: 说
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AI Study Notes for 说
说 (shuō) vs. 讲 (jiǎng): use 说 for general speaking or stating, while 讲 emphasizes explaining or narrating.
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 说; it is pronounced with a first tone (shuō). Common phrases include 说话 (to talk) and 说得好 (well said). A common mistake is confusing it with '说的' (shuō de) which indicates something that was said; ensure to use the correct form based on the context.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 说 connects to other basic verbs like 听 (tīng, to listen) and 看 (kàn, to see). Focus on using it in simple sentences to express what someone is saying or asking. Practice combining it with other vocabulary to enhance conversational skills.
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 说 with a different tone, such as the second tone (shuó). Ensure to pronounce it correctly as 'shuō' with the first tone to convey the right meaning.
Pronunciation of 说
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Jason Explains 说 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 说 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 说
Phonosemantic compound. 讠 represents the meaning and 兑 represents the sound.
speech
Origin
说 = 讠 + 兑. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 说
Parts
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How to say to say in Chinese
“to say” in Chinese is说
The character 说 (shuō) means 'to speak' or 'to say.' It is commonly used in various contexts, such as giving opinions, making requests, or explaining something. Additionally, it can imply persuasion or scolding, depending on the context.
When to use 说
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 说; it is pronounced with a first tone (shuō). Common phrases include 说话 (to talk) and 说得好 (well said). A common mistake is confusing it with '说的' (shuō de) which indicates something that was said; ensure to use the correct form based on the context.
说 or something close to it
说 (shuō) vs. 讲 (jiǎng): use 说 for general speaking or stating, while 讲 emphasizes explaining or narrating.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 说 with a different tone, such as the second tone (shuó). Ensure to pronounce it correctly as 'shuō' with the first tone to convey the right meaning.
Write 说
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Practice writing 说 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 说
说 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Used to emphasize the action of saying or speaking.
他是告诉我这个的。
He is the one who told me this.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我不会____中文。
I can't speak Chinese.
Common Confusions with 说
Traditional character form of 说.
说 is often used for speaking or saying, while 讲 emphasizes explaining or narrating.
他会说汉语。 (He can speak Chinese.) vs. 他会讲故事。 (He can tell stories.)
说 is often used for speaking or saying, while 讲 emphasizes explaining or narrating.
Which one
Which one means “to say”?
Usage Notes for 说
It is important to follow 说 with direct objects appropriately.
我说他。
I said him.
我说他的话。
I said his words.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我____他。
I said him.
Example Sentences for 说 (16)
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Rebuild it: “The teacher said there is no homework today.”
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Cultural Notes for 说
In Chinese culture, communication is highly valued. The ability to speak well and articulate thoughts is seen as a sign of education and respect.
Word Family of 说
Words with 说
What does 说话 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 说
Both 说 (shuō) and 讲 (jiǎng) mean 'to speak' or 'to tell,' but they are used in different contexts. 说 is more general and commonly used for everyday conversation, while 讲 often implies explaining or teaching something in detail.
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