When do I use 说 vs 讲?

Use 说 for general saying, speaking, or reporting; use 讲 when explaining, telling a story, or giving a speech. For example, '他说' = 'he said', '他讲' = 'he explained/told'.

Can 说 and 讲 be used interchangeably for 'speak a language'?

Yes, both 说中文 and 讲中文 are correct. 说 is more common in everyday speech, while 讲 may sound slightly more formal, but they are interchangeable in this context.

Is 讲 always more formal than 说?

Not necessarily; 讲 is not inherently formal but implies a more explanatory or narrative tone. You can 讲 a story informally, but you wouldn't 讲 a simple 'hello'.

What is the difference between 说话 and 讲话?

说话 simply means 'to speak/talk' (e.g., 他在说话 'He is talking'). 讲话 usually means 'to give a speech' (e.g., 领导在讲话 'The leader is giving a speech').

Easily confusedHSK 2

说 vs 讲 (shuō vs jiǎng): to say/speak vs to tell/explain

说 is the general verb for 'say, speak, talk', used for everyday speech and reporting what someone says. 讲 adds a nuance of telling, explaining, or lecturing, often used for giving a speech, telling a story, or explaining something in detail. While they overlap in some contexts (like speaking a language), choosing 讲 implies a more structured or explanatory delivery.

Both 说 and 讲 mean 'to speak', but they differ in register and implied context. 说 is the default everyday verb for uttering words, reporting speech, or stating opinions (e.g., 他说他累了 'He said he is tired'). 讲 carries a sense of explaining or narrating, often used when the speaker is delivering a sustained or informative speech (e.g., 他讲了一个故事 'He told a story'). In many cases, 说 is neutral, while 讲 suggests a more deliberate, instructive, or formal tone.

When to use each

说shuō

to say, speak, talk

Use 说 for general speech: quoting someone, stating facts, expressing thoughts, or simply talking. It is the most common and versatile verb for 'say' in Chinese, covering both direct and indirect speech. It also appears in many fixed expressions like 说话 (speak/talk), 说明 (explain), and 说不定 (maybe).

说 can also mean 'to scold' in some dialects, but standard Mandarin uses it neutrally for any speech.

讲jiǎng

to tell, explain, lecture

Use 讲 when the speech involves explaining, narrating, or delivering formal content. Typical contexts include giving a lecture (讲课), telling a story (讲故事), explaining something (讲解), or making a speech (讲话). 讲 often implies the listener is expected to learn or understand something from the speech.

In some regions (e.g., Taiwan), 讲 is used more broadly for 'speak' much like 说, but in standard Mandarin the distinction remains.

At a glance

	说	讲
Core meaning	General 'say, speak, talk'	Tell, explain, lecture
Usage scope	Everyday conversation, quoting, opinions	Formal speech, storytelling, instruction
Common collocations	说话, 说明, 说谎 (lie), 说好 (agree on)	讲课, 讲解, 讲话, 讲故事
Speaking a language	说中文 (common, neutral)	讲中文 (also correct, slightly more formal)
Register	Neutral to informal	Slightly more formal or explanatory
Negation	不说 / 没说	不讲 / 没讲

Examples

说
他说他明天不来。
Tā shuō tā míngtiān bù lái.
He said he won't come tomorrow.
Simple reported speech; using 讲 here would imply he explained why.
讲
老师讲了一个有趣的故事。
Lǎoshī jiǎng le yī gè yǒuqù de gùshi.
The teacher told an interesting story.
Narration of a story – 讲 is appropriate; 说 would sound less natural.
说
请你说一下你的想法。
Qǐng nǐ shuō yīxià nǐ de xiǎngfǎ.
Please say/express your thoughts briefly.
Asking for a brief opinion, no need for lengthy explanation.
讲
你能讲一讲怎么做这道菜吗？
Nǐ néng jiǎng yī jiǎng zěnme zuò zhè dào cài ma?
Can you explain how to make this dish?
Requesting an explanation – 讲 is preferred over 说.
说
他会说三种语言。
Tā huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔyán.
He can speak three languages.
Speaking a language – 说 is neutral and common.
讲
他在台上讲了一个小时的课。
Tā zài tái shàng jiǎng le yī gè xiǎoshí de kè.
He lectured on stage for an hour.
Formal lecture – 讲 is the right word.

Common mistakes

Using 讲 when simply quoting someone: '他讲他很忙' (should be 说).
Using 说 for a formal lecture: '老师说了一个小时' (should be 讲 or 讲课).
Assuming 讲 cannot be used for speaking a language: both are correct, but 讲 is less common in casual speech.
Overusing 讲 in everyday conversation when 说 is more natural.

FAQ

When do I use 说 vs 讲?: Use 说 for general saying, speaking, or reporting; use 讲 when explaining, telling a story, or giving a speech. For example, '他说' = 'he said', '他讲' = 'he explained/told'.
Can 说 and 讲 be used interchangeably for 'speak a language'?: Yes, both 说中文 and 讲中文 are correct. 说 is more common in everyday speech, while 讲 may sound slightly more formal, but they are interchangeable in this context.
Is 讲 always more formal than 说?: Not necessarily; 讲 is not inherently formal but implies a more explanatory or narrative tone. You can 讲 a story informally, but you wouldn't 讲 a simple 'hello'.
What is the difference between 说话 and 讲话?: 说话 simply means 'to speak/talk' (e.g., 他在说话 'He is talking'). 讲话 usually means 'to give a speech' (e.g., 领导在讲话 'The leader is giving a speech').