hablar de
/ablaɾ de/from spelling rules
The English phrase "speak of" translates to Spanish as hablar de.
You may also use the synonym hablar sobre to mean "to speak about" a specific topic.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the infinitive verb hablar (to speak) and the preposition de (of/about).
Which one should you use?
While hablar de is used for the topic of conversation, hablar con is used to indicate the person one is speaking to (to speak with).
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition de is required after hablar when the verb is used to indicate the subject or topic of the conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ablaɾ de/
Did you know?
- The verb hablar is used in the idiomatic expression hablar por los codos, which literally means 'to speak through the elbows' to describe someone who talks incessantly.
- The word hablar comes from the Latin fābulārī, meaning 'to chat' or 'converse'. This is the same root that gives English the word 'fable'.
- In Spain, if someone says estamos hablando de, they might be using it as a conversational filler similar to 'we are talking about' to stall for time while thinking.
Examples in context
- No volvamos a hablar de ello.Let us never speak of this again.This sentence shows how to use hablar de to express not wanting to discuss a matter again.Tatoeba #1551499 by Shishir, translation #1548690 by Spamster
- Ella se rehusó a hablar de lo que había pasado.She refused to speak of what had happened.This sentence demonstrates using hablar de to describe a refusal to discuss a past event.Tatoeba #1294982 by hayastan, translation #312777 by ddnktr
- Está feo hablar de dinero.It's unbecoming to speak of money.This sentence uses hablar de to note that speaking of money is considered unbecoming.Tatoeba #861303 by alicia, translation #915822 by papabear
- Debemos hablar del informe durante la reunión.We must speak of the report during the meeting.
- No podemos mencionar el tema sin su permiso.We cannot speak of the topic without their permission.
- Hoy vamos a referirnos al problema del desempleo.Today, we are going to speak of the issue of unemployment.
- ¡No me cuentes tus problemas otra vez!Don't speak to me of your problems again!
- En cuanto a mi viaje a España, fue una experiencia increíble.Speaking of my trip to Spain, it was an incredible experience.
- El orador habló extensivamente sobre el tema principal.The speaker spoke extensively on the main topic.
- Deja de hablar de los mismos problemas de siempre.Stop speaking about the same old problems.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are having coffee in a cafe.
- Javier¿Quieres hablar de tu nuevo trabajo?Do you want to speak of your new job?
- ElenaSí, Javier, me gusta mucho.Yes, Javier, I like it a lot.
- JavierEs bueno hablar de tus éxitos.It is good to speak of your successes.
- ElenaGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
