Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)
说
shuō
to speak, to say
+ language: (shuō Zhōngwén), (shuō Yīngyǔ). To tell someone, use 跟…说: (wǒ gēn tā shuō le). (shuōhuà) means “to talk”.
Speed:
Basic
基本
Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bù shuō).
| affirmative | 在家我们说中文。Zài jiā wǒmen shuō Zhōngwén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 他不说英语。Tā bù shuō Yīngyǔ. | |
| question | 你说什么？Nǐ shuō shénme? |
Completed
了
Something has been said or told. Negative: .
| affirmative | 我跟他说了。Wǒ gēn tā shuō le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没跟他说。Wǒ méi gēn tā shuō. | |
| question | 你跟他说了吗？Nǐ gēn tā shuō le ma? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我跟你说过。Wǒ gēn nǐ shuōguo. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没说过这句话。Wǒ méi shuōguo zhè jù huà. | |
| question | 我说过吗？Wǒ shuōguo ma? |
In progress
在
Happening right now. Negative: (méi zài).
| affirmative | 他在说中文。Tā zài shuō Zhōngwén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在说你。Wǒ méi zài shuō nǐ. | |
| question | 他在说什么？Tā zài shuō shénme? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
: to speak a language (a learned skill). (shuō bu chūlai): can't put it into words.
| affirmative | 我会说一点儿中文。Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎnr Zhōngwén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不会说中文。Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén. | |
| question | 你会说中文吗？Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? | |
| can't | 我说不出来。Wǒ shuō bu chūlai. |
Result
结果补语
: to finish speaking. (shuō bu wán): too much to say.
| affirmative | 我说完了。Wǒ shuōwán le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我还没说完。Wǒ hái méi shuōwán. | |
| question | 你说完了吗？Nǐ shuōwán le ma? | |
| can't | 这些事一天也说不完。Zhèxiē shì yì tiān yě shuō bu wán. |
Examples
- 请你说慢一点儿。Qǐng nǐ shuō màn yìdiǎnr.Please speak a bit more slowly.
- 他说他明天不来。Tā shuō tā míngtiān bù lái.He says he isn't coming tomorrow.
- 你的中文说得很好！Nǐ de Zhōngwén shuō de hěn hǎo!You speak Chinese very well!