Say vs. Speak — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
Difference Between Say and Speak
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Say" is often used when referring to specific words that someone has expressed. It's about relaying a message or quoting someone. On the other hand, "Speak" generally refers to the act of communicating or the capability to communicate, often over a period or in a particular language. When one says something, they're sharing a specific message; when one speaks, they're engaging in communication.
If you were to consider the scenario of a translator, you'd use "Say" to mention what the person specifically uttered. However, you'd use "Speak" to indicate which languages the translator is proficient in. Thus, while both words are about verbal communication, "Say" hones in on the content, and "Speak" on the process or capability.
When thinking about repetition, if you didn't catch what someone mentioned, you'd ask, "What did you say?" indicating you missed specific words. However, if discussing languages, you might ask, "Do you speak Spanish?" to inquire about someone's language proficiency.
Lastly, consider their application in questions. "Say" often introduces indirect questions, as in "He said he would come." In contrast, "Speak" is more about the manner or language of communication, as in "She speaks eloquently."
Comparison Chart
Focus
Specific words or message
Act or capability of communication
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Common Usage
Quoting or relaying messages
Discussing language proficiency
In Questions
"What did you say?"
"Do you speak French?"
Grammar
Often introduces indirect questions
Used to indicate manner or language of communication
Example
"He said he's busy."
"She speaks four languages."
Compare with Definitions
Say
Utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction
He said to come early
Our parents wouldn't believe a word we said
‘Thank you,’ he said
He said the fund stood at £100,000
Speak
To utter words or express thoughts verbally.
He didn't speak for an hour.
Say
To utter or express in words.
She said she'll be late.
Speak
To converse or communicate with others.
They spoke about old times.
Say
To state or declare.
The sign says 'No Entry.'
Speak
To have knowledge of a language.
She speaks fluent German.
Say
To repeat or recite.
Say the alphabet backward.
Speak
Say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling
In his agitation he was unable to speak
She refused to speak about the incident
Say
To indicate or show.
The clock says three o'clock.
Speak
Talk to in order to reprove or advise
She tried to speak to Seb about his drinking
Say
Assume something in order to work out what its consequences would be; make a hypothesis
Let's say we pay in five thousand pounds in the first year
Speak
(of behaviour, an object, etc.) serve as evidence for something
His frame spoke tiredness
Everything in the house spoke of hard times and neglect
Say
Used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark or question
Say, did you notice any blood?
Speak
(of a musical instrument or other object) make a sound when functioning
Insufficient air circulates for the pipes to speak
The gun spoke again
Say
An opportunity for stating one's opinion or feelings
She let him have his say
Speak
To produce words by means of sounds; talk
Can the baby speak yet?.
Say
To utter aloud; pronounce
The children said, "Good morning.".
Speak
To express thoughts or feelings to convey information in speech or writing
He spoke of his desire to travel. In her poem she speaks about loss.
Say
To express in words
Say what's on your mind.
Speak
To convey information or ideas in text
Their book speaks about adopting children.
Say
To state as an opinion or judgment; declare
I say let's eat out.
Speak
To engage in conversation
Can we speak for a few minutes about the assignment?.
Say
To state as a determination of fact
It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
Speak
To be friendly or willing to communicate; be on speaking terms
They are no longer speaking.
Say
To report or maintain; allege
It is said he is a fraud.
Speak
To deliver an address or lecture
The mayor spoke at the rally.
Say
To repeat or recite
Said grace.
Speak
To act as spokesperson
I speak for the entire staff.
Say
To indicate; show
The clock says half past two.
Speak
To convey information through another person
The family spoke to the media through their trusted adviser.
Say
To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody
It was an act that said "devotion.".
Speak
To convey a message by nonverbal means
Actions speak louder than words.
Say
To suppose; assume
Let's say that you're right.
Speak
To give an indication or suggestion
His manners spoke of good upbringing.
Say
To make a statement or express an opinion or judgment
The story must be true because the teacher said so.
Speak
To be appealing
His poetry speaks to one's heart.
Say
A turn or chance to speak
Having had my say, I sat down.
Speak
To make a reservation or request. Used with for
Has anyone spoken for the last piece of pizza?.
Say
The right or power to influence or make a decision
Citizens have a say in the councils of government. All I want is some say in the matter.
Speak
To produce a characteristic sound
The drums spoke.
Say
(Archaic) Something said; a statement.
Speak
To give off a sound on firing. Used of guns or cannon.
Say
Approximately
There were, say, 500 people present.
Speak
To say with the voice; pronounce or utter
She spoke the words with a French accent.
Say
For instance
A woodwind, say an oboe.
Speak
To converse in or be able to converse in (a language)
Speaks German.
Say
Used to express surprise or appeal for someone's attention.
Speak
To express in words; tell
Speak the truth.
Say
(transitive) To pronounce.
Please say your name slowly and clearly.
Speak
(Nautical) To hail and communicate with (another vessel) at sea.
Say
(transitive) To recite.
Martha, will you say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Speak
To convey by nonverbal means
His eyes spoke volumes.
Say
(transitive) To tell, either verbally or in writing.
He said he would be here tomorrow.
Speak
(intransitive) To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.
I was so surprised I couldn't speak.
You're speaking too fast.
Say
(transitive) To indicate in a written form.
The sign says it’s 50 kilometres to Paris.
Speak
To have a conversation.
It's been ages since we've spoken.
Say
To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact.
They say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", which means "behave as those around you do."
Speak
(by extension) To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.
He spoke of it in his diary.
Speak to me only with your eyes.
Actions speak louder than words.
Say
Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis.
A holiday somewhere warm – Florida, say – would be nice.
Say he refuses. What do we do then?
Say your family is starving and you don't have any money, is it okay to steal some food?
Speak
(intransitive) To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.
This evening I shall speak on the topic of correct English usage.
Say
(intransitive) To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
Speak
To be able to communicate in a language.
He speaks Mandarin fluently.
Say
To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker.
Speak
(by extension) To be able to communicate in the manner of specialists in a field.
Say
To try; to assay.
Speak
(transitive) To utter.
I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.
Say
A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision.
Speak
(transitive) To communicate (some fact or feeling); to bespeak, to indicate.
Say
A type of fine cloth similar to serge.
Speak
To understand (as though it were a language).
Sorry, I don't speak idiot.
So you can program in C. But do you speak C++?
Say
Trial by sample; assay; specimen.
Speak
(intransitive) To produce a sound; to sound.
Say
Tried quality; temper; proof.
Speak
Of a bird, to be able to vocally reproduce words or phrases from a human language.
Say
Essay; trial; attempt.
Speak
To address; to accost; to speak to.
Say
For example; let us assume.
Pick a color you think they'd like, say, peach.
He was driving pretty fast, say, fifty miles per hour.
Speak
Language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
Corporate speak; IT speak.
Say
(colloquial) Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion
Say, what did you think about the movie?
Speak
Speech, conversation.
Say
Saw.
Speak
(dated) a low class bar, a speakeasy.
Say
Trial by sample; assay; sample; specimen; smack.
If those principal works of God . . . be but certain tastes and says, as it were, of that final benefit.
Thy tongue some say of breeding breathes.
Speak
To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak.
Till at the last spake in this manner.
Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.
Say
Tried quality; temper; proof.
He found a sword of better say.
Speak
To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse.
That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak.
An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not.
During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history.
Say
Essay; trial; attempt.
Speak
To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally.
Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty.
Say
A kind of silk or satin.
Thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord!
Speak
To discourse; to make mention; to tell.
Lycan speaks of a part of Cæsar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake.
Say
A delicate kind of serge, or woolen cloth.
His garment neither was of silk nor say.
Speak
To give sound; to sound.
Make all our trumpets speak.
Say
A speech; something said; an expression of opinion; a current story; a maxim or proverb.
He no sooner said out his say, but up rises a cunning snap.
That strange palmer's boding say,That fell so ominous and drearFull on the object of his fear.
Speak
To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will.
Thine eye begins to speak.
Say
To try; to assay.
Speak
To utter with the mouth; to pronounce; to utter articulately, as human beings.
They sat down with him upn ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him.
Say
To utter or express in words; to tell; to speak; to declare; as, he said many wise things.
Arise, and say how thou camest here.
Speak
To utter in a word or words; to say; to tell; to declare orally; as, to speak the truth; to speak sense.
Say
To repeat; to rehearse; to recite; to pronounce; as, to say a lesson.
Of my instruction hast thou nothing batedIn what thou hadst to say?
After which shall be said or sung the following hymn.
Speak
To declare; to proclaim; to publish; to make known; to exhibit; to express in any way.
It is my father;s musteTo speak your deeds.
Speaking a still good morrow with her eyes.
And for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speakThe maker's high magnificence.
Report speaks you a bonny monk.
Say
To announce as a decision or opinion; to state positively; to assert; hence, to form an opinion upon; to be sure about; to be determined in mind as to.
But what it is, hard is to say.
Speak
To talk or converse in; to utter or pronounce, as in conversation; as, to speak Latin.
And French she spake full fair and fetisely.
Say
To mention or suggest as an estimate, hypothesis, or approximation; hence, to suppose; - in the imperative, followed sometimes by the subjunctive; as, he had, say fifty thousand dollars; the fox had run, say ten miles.
Say, for nonpayment that the debt should double,Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble?
Speak
To address; to accost; to speak to.
[He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair.
Each village senior paused to scanAnd speak the lovely caravan.
Say
To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
To this argument we shall soon have said; for what concerns it us to hear a husband divulge his household privacies?
Speak
Express in speech;
She talks a lot of nonsense
This depressed patient does not verbalize
Say
The chance to speak;
Let him have his say
Speak
Exchange thoughts; talk with;
We often talk business
Actions talk louder than words
Say
Express in words;
He said that he wanted to marry her
Tell me what is bothering you
State your opinion
State your name
Speak
Use language;
The baby talks already
The prisoner won't speak
They speak a strange dialect
Say
Report or maintain;
He alleged that he was the victim of a crime
He said it was too late to intervene in the war
The registrar says that I owe the school money
Speak
Give a speech to;
The chairman addressed the board of trustees
Say
Express a supposition;
Let us say that he did not tell the truth
Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?
Speak
Make a characteristic or natural sound;
The drums spoke
Say
Have or contain a certain wording or form;
The passage reads as follows
What does the law say?
Speak
To make a statement or comment.
The evidence speaks for itself.
Say
State as one's opinion or judgement; declare;
I say let's forget this whole business
Speak
To act as a spokesperson.
Let him speak for the group.
Say
Utter aloud;
She said `Hello' to everyone in the office
Say
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
I said to him to go home
She ordered him to do the shopping
The mother told the child to get dressed
Say
Speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way;
She pronounces French words in a funny way
I cannot say `zip wire'
Can the child sound out this complicated word?
Say
Recite or repeat a fixed text;
Say grace
She said her `Hail Mary'
Say
Communicate or express nonverbally;
What does this painting say?
Did his face say anything about how he felt?
Say
Indicate;
The clock says noon
Say
To assume as a hypothesis.
Let's say we start tomorrow.
Common Curiosities
Which word is more about the content of communication?
"Say" is more about the content or specific words relayed.
How do "Say" and "Speak" differ in meaning?
"Say" focuses on the specific words or message, while "Speak" emphasizes the act or capability of communication.
Can "Say" and "Speak" be used interchangeably?
While they overlap, their nuanced differences make them suitable for specific contexts.
If I want to quote someone, which word should I use?
"Say" is more appropriate for quoting or relaying specific words.
If discussing a spokesperson, which word fits better?
"Speak" fits better, as in "He will speak for our group."
Which word is about the act of verbal communication?
"Speak" generally refers to the act or process of verbal communication.
Which word is used in the context of eloquence or style?
"Speak" is used, like "She speaks eloquently."
When discussing languages, which word is more appropriate?
"Speak" is used to discuss language proficiency, as in "speaking a language."
How is "Say" commonly used in sentences?
"Say" often introduces or relays specific messages, like "She said hello."
Can "Say" be used to indicate indications or signs?
Yes, as in "The clock says three o'clock."
How does "Speak" relate to knowledge of languages?
"Speak" denotes knowledge or proficiency, as in "I speak Spanish."
In what context is "Speak" used to discuss manner?
"Speak" can denote manner, as in "She speaks loudly."
Which word is used more for direct quoting?
"Say" is typically used for direct quotes.
Can "Speak" be about a general topic of conversation?
Yes, as in "They spoke about their plans."
Is "Say" used for assumptions or hypotheses?
Yes, it can be, like "Let's say we go to the beach."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
