I was wondering what the difference is between 讲 (jiang) and 说 (shuo) I used to think that 讲 meant "to speak" and 说 "to say", but then I saw sentences like these: 我说不好 (wo shuo bu hao): I am not sp

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I was wondering what the difference is between 讲 (jiang) and 说 (shuo) I used to think that 讲 meant "to speak" and 说 "to say", but then I saw sentences like these: 我说不好 (wo shuo bu hao): I am not speaking well 我说得很快 (wo shuo de hen kwai): I am speaking pretty fast So now I don't think I fully understand the difference. The bad thing is that the verb 說/说 (Cantonese reading: syut) does not exist in Cantonese (only 講/讲 is used) so I cannot use the little Cantonese intuition I have to figure it out. Can someone help?

Nov 27, 2008 2:52 AM

Answers · 12

The difference is the atmosphere we use them; 讲（jiang）is a formal word mostly. Eg. When introduing some to give a speech, we will use 欢迎谁讲话（huanying shui jiang hua), but we will never say 欢迎谁说话（huanying shui shuo hua); 说（shuo) is a unformal word, especially in spoken language; somebody say, 谁说（shui shuo)！ Hope this is useful for you!

November 27, 2008

I think jiang is more formal,and xhuo is informal.

November 29, 2008

"jiang"is more active

November 28, 2008

讲 and 说 has same neaning in most situation,广东人 never use 说，only use jiang.but in普通话, 讲 and 说 can exchange unless aptotic word.if you want to learn cantonese,maybe i can help you.

November 27, 2008

In fact , "讲" is always used in phrases and word groups,such as the examples given by simplesugar,in my opinion,it is more formal than "说". But you can use "说话"and "讲话" allmost in the same place. you are really very careful,I speak Chinese for 18years,but I never think of this question before.I hope the answer could be usefull for you .

November 27, 2008

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