讲话

• Pinyin: jiǎng huà
• Hanzi breakdown: 讲 (jiǎng) — to speak, to tell; 话 (huà) — words, speech

Meaning

To speak; to give a speech; a speech or talk. The act of addressing an audience or speaking formally.

Can mean speaking in general or giving a formal speech or address. As a noun, refers to the speech itself. Common in school, workplace, and official settings.

Examples

1. 校长正在讲话。 The principal is giving a speech.
2. 上课的时候不要讲话。 Don't talk during class.
3. 他的讲话很有意思。 His speech was very interesting.

Usage Guide

Context: school, meetings, formal events

Tone: neutral to formal

Do Say

• 请安静，校长要讲话了。(Please be quiet — the principal is about to speak.)
• 他的讲话很精彩。(His speech was wonderful.)

Don't Say

• 不要把讲话只理解为'演讲' (Don't think 讲话 only means a formal speech — it can also simply mean talking, as in 上课不要讲话 meaning don't talk in class)

Origin & History

Compound of 讲 (to speak, to tell) and 话 (words, speech). Together they mean the act of speaking or a spoken address.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal