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March 24, 2026
说话(說話)shuōhuà(shuo1hua4)
说话 (shuōhuà) means 'to speak' or 'to talk.' It is commonly used in everyday conversations when referring to the act of communicating verbally. This term can also imply telling stories or gossiping, highlighting its informal usage in social contexts.
Strokes17Frequency#383DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 说话 can carry significant social weight, particularly in gatherings where storytelling is valued. It's often seen as a way to build relationships and share experiences, reflecting the importance of community.
Memory Tip
Think of 说 (shuō) as a person speaking with a mouth, while 话 (huà) represents the words coming out. Visualize someone passionately talking about their day, where the sound of their voice is like a bubbling stream, flowing with stories and gossip.
Meanings of 说话
shuōhuà(shuo1hua4)
1to speak
2to say
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About 说话
说话Simplified
說話Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#383Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 说话
Podcast: 说话
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AI Study Notes for 说话
Quick Contrast
说话 (to speak) vs 讲话 (to give a speech) — use 说话 for informal conversation, while 讲话 is more formal and structured.
Usage Notes
When using 说话, be mindful of the context; it is informal and may not suit formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with 说 (shuō), which means 'to say' without the nuance of conversation. Remember to use appropriate tones, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 说话 connects well with other action verbs like 听 (tīng, to listen) and 看 (kàn, to look). Students should practice using it in sentences to describe actions related to communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 说话 in formal contexts, where 讲话 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '他在会议上说话' (Tā zài huìyì shàng shuōhuà) should be corrected to '他在会议上讲话' (Tā zài huìyì shàng jiǎnghuà).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 说话
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说话 (shuōhuà) means 'to speak' or 'to talk.' It is commonly used in everyday conversations when referring to the act of communicating verbally. This term can also imply telling stories or gossiping, highlighting its informal usage in social contexts.
When to use 说话
When using 说话, be mindful of the context; it is informal and may not suit formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with 说 (shuō), which means 'to say' without the nuance of conversation. Remember to use appropriate tones, as mispronunciation can change the meaning.
说话 or something close to it
说话 (to speak) vs 讲话 (to give a speech) — use 说话 for informal conversation, while 讲话 is more formal and structured.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 说话 in formal contexts, where 讲话 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '他在会议上说话' (Tā zài huìyì shàng shuōhuà) should be corrected to '他在会议上讲话' (Tā zài huìyì shàng jiǎnghuà).
Write 说话
说
话
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Grammar Patterns of 说话
说话 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 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
