How to Say "Speech" in Chinese

演讲

yǎnjiǎng

The English word "speech" translates to Chinese as 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng).

演讲 refers to a formal presentation or lecture. When you want to express the action of giving or making a speech, you can use the phrase 做演讲.

Meaning: an oration, session of speaking (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term 演讲 is composed of two parts: 演, which means to perform or develop and 讲, which means to explain or speak.

演讲 refers specifically to a formal oration or a prepared speech, whereas 讲话 refers to general speaking or talking.

yǎnjiǎng

While 演讲 describes the act of speaking, the word 演习 (yǎnxí) uses the same first character to mean a military exercise or drill, as both involve 'performing' a prepared sequence of actions.
The character 讲 in 演讲 is also used in the term for 'bargaining' 讲价 (jiǎngjià), showing that 'explaining' your point is the core of negotiating a price.
In traditional Chinese culture, the highest form of 'speaking' was not the formal 演讲 but rather the art of the 'essay' or 'written discourse', as written words were historically more prestigious than spoken ones.

他做了一个演讲。
He made a speech.
The first sentence shows how to use 演讲 with the verb 做 to say someone made a speech.
Tatoeba #5068347 by FeAst, translation #5068285 by jhomel
汤姆的演讲很精彩。
Tom's speech was good.
The second sentence shows the possessive use of 演讲 to describe a speech that was good.
Tatoeba #8756384 by crescat, translation #3428643 by CK
他的演讲让我很无聊。
I was bored with his speech.
The third sentence shows how to describe a feeling towards a specific 演讲.
Tatoeba #1413678 by sadhen, translation #260548 by CK
总统将在晚上八点发表重要讲话。
The president will deliver an important speech at 8 p.m.
他在学校的开幕式上说了几句话。
He said a few words at the school's opening ceremony.
他在婚礼上做了个简短的演说。
He gave a short speech at the wedding.
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Xiao Wen and Zhi Qiang are discussing a formal event.

晓雯 Xiaowen

你明天要参加那个演讲吗？
Nǐ míngtiān yào cānjiā nàge yǎnjiǎng ma?
Are you attending that speech tomorrow?
志强 Zhiqiang

是的，我得做个简短的演讲。
Shì de, wǒ děi zuò ge jiǎnduǎn de yǎnjiǎng.
Yes, I have to give a short speech.
晓雯 Xiaowen

别担心，你的演讲一定会很棒。
Bié dānxīn, nǐ de yǎnjiǎng yīdìng huì hěn bàng.
Don't worry, your speech will definitely be great.
志强 Zhiqiang

谢谢，希望我的演讲不会太长。
Xièxiè, xīwàng wǒ de yǎnjiǎng bù huì tài cháng.
Thanks, I hope my speech won't be too long.

Sources

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