講
gong2
The English phrase 'speak' is translated into Cantonese as 講 (gong2).
The verb 講 is used both for the act of speaking a language and for the act of saying or telling something. In colloquial Cantonese, you can add the particle 嘢 to create 講嘢, which means 'to talk' or 'to say something'.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 講 can be used interchangeably with 說 in certain contexts to mean 'to speak' or 'to say', 講 is much more common in colloquial Cantonese.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the ability to speak a language, place the verb 識 (to know how to) before 講. For example, to say you know how to speak a language, you would use 識講.
How do you pronounce it?
gong2
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the verb 講 is used in the phrase 講數, which literally means 'speak numbers' but actually refers to negotiating a deal or settling a dispute.
- In Cantonese, the word 講 is used in the term 講古, which literally means 'speak old' but specifically refers to the act of storytelling.
- The word 講 is used in 講道理, which literally means 'speak reason', but functions as a way to describe someone who is fair and rational.
Examples in context
- 日頭唔好講人。Speak of the devil and he is sure to appear.This sentence shows how 講 is used in the idiom 'Speak of the devil'.Tatoeba #392332 by nickyeow, translation #28533 by Zifre
- 我唔識講法文。I can't speak French.This sentence uses 講 to indicate the inability to speak a specific language.Tatoeba #1188076 by nickyeow, translation #255532 by CK
- 我識講少少日文。I speak a little Japanese.This sentence uses 講 to indicate the ability to speak a small amount of a language.Tatoeba #437746 by nickyeow, translation #258667 by CN
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are meeting for the first time.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting你識唔識講英文？nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2?Do you know how to speak English?
- 家明 Ka Ming我識講，但係唔太流利。ngo5 sik1 gong2, daan6 si6 m4 taai3 lau4 lei6.I can speak it, but I'm not very fluent.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting咁你識唔識講廣東話？gam2 nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 wa2?Then do you know how to speak Cantonese?
- 家明 Ka Ming我依家學緊講廣東話。ngo5 ji1 gaa2 hok6 gan2 gong2 gwong2 dung1 wa2.I am learning to speak Cantonese right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
