Speak vs Talk at a glance
- speak
/spiːk/ · verb
To use your voice to say words, often in a more formal way or about languages.
- How many languages do you speak?
- The manager will speak at the conference on Friday.
- talk
/tɔːk/ · verb
To have a conversation with someone, usually in a relaxed, informal way.
- We need to talk about our holiday plans.
- My little sister can talk for hours on the phone.
How to remember it
Languages and speeches go with speak (speak English, speak at an event). Chats and conversations go with talk (talk to a friend, talk about the weekend).
Good to know
Both work with to and about: speak/talk to someone, speak/talk about something. On the phone, "Can I speak to Anna?" is the polite standard. American English also uses speak with and talk with.
Common mistakes
Wrong: She talks three languages.
Right: She speaks three languages.
Wrong: We sat in the café and spoke for hours about our holidays.
Right: We sat in the café and talked for hours about our holidays.
Quick quiz
1.Can you Spanish?
2.We stayed up late to about everything that happened.
Pick the right word for each gap.