說 (shuō) - To speak & to say
說 · shuō
To speak;
to say;
to explain;
a theory or doctrine.
Also used in words for persuasion and explanation.
To speakto sayto explain
Usage highlights
To speakTo explainTheory or doctrineTo persuadeNovel or storyLegend or tale
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He speaks English fluently (说英语).
- Please explain this concept clearly (请说明这个概念).
- I want to say something (我想说点事).
- This is just a theory (这只是个学说).
Collocations
- To speak(说话)
- To explain(说明)
- Theory or doctrine(学说)
- To persuade(说服)
- Novel or story(小说)
- Legend or tale(传说)
Idioms
- To talk nonsense(胡说八道)
- To speak frankly(直言不讳说)
- Public opinion is powerful(众说纷纭)
- To elaborate in great detail(说长道短)
- A story within a story(说中有说)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally meant 'to explain' or 'to persuade'; extended to mean theories and doctrines.
- In Confucian tradition, proper speech (说) was considered essential for moral cultivation and social harmony.
- The character appears in many classical texts discussing rhetoric and persuasion techniques.