say
verbVerb Forms
Idioms present simple I / you / we / they say | |
he / she / it says | |
past simple said | |
past participle said | |
-ing form saying |
- [intransitive, transitive]
to speak or tell somebody something, using words 说;讲;告诉 - + speech
‘Hello!’ she said. “你好!” 她说。 ‘That was marvellous,’ said Daniel. “好极了。” 丹尼尔说。 A legendary football coach once said, ‘Winning is everything.’ 一位传奇的足球教练曾经说过:“胜利就是一切。
- say something
Be quiet, I have something to say. 安静,我有话要说。 Come and say hello. 过来打个招呼。 Please say yes! 请说“是”! I didn't believe a word she said. 她说的话我一个字都不信。 That's a terrible thing to say. 这话说不得。 - say something to somebody
She said nothing to me about it. 她没有跟我说过这件事。 - say to somebody/yourself + speech
I said to myself (= thought), ‘That can't be right!’ 我心里想:“这不对呀!” - say (that)…
He said (that) his name was Sam. 他说他叫萨姆。 Can I just say I'm not happy about this. 我能说我对此不高兴吗? I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. 不得不说我是惊喜。 - it is said that…
It is said that she lived to be over 100. 据说她活了 100 多岁。 - say what, how, etc…
She finds it hard to say what she feels. 她觉得心里的感受难以言述。 ‘That's impossible!’ ‘So you say (= but I think you may be wrong).’ “这不可能!” “不见得。” ‘Why can't I go out now?’ ‘Because I say so.’ “为什么现在我不能出去?” “我说不行就不行。” ‘What do you want it for?’ ‘I'd rather not say.’ “你要这做什么?” “我还是不说的好。” - say to do something
He said to meet him here. 他说来这儿跟他见面。 - be said to be/have something
He is said to have been a brilliant scholar. 据说他曾是个了不起的学者。
Express Yourself InterruptingInterrupting 打断别人 You may need to say something when somebody else is speaking, or you may be chairing a discussion where you have to stop one person talking too much. If you start talking at the same time as someone else, this will seem rude. To interrupt politely, you can say, for example: 在别人说话时需要插话或主持讨论时某人讲话过多需要打断,直接插话或打断会显得粗鲁,可用一些礼貌的方式,比如: Sorry to interrupt, but I have to disagree with that. 不好意思打断一下,但那一点我得表示异议。
Could I just say something here? 我可以插句话吗?
If I could, let me stop you there for a moment and go back to your previous point. 请容我打断您一下,回到您先前讲到的一点。
Actually, we seem to have strayed a bit from the topic. Can we go back to the first point? 实际上,我们似乎有点偏离了主题。我们可以回到第一点吗?
Just a moment, Sue. Can we hear what Jack has to say on this? 稍等一下,休。我们能听听杰克对此怎么说吗?
May I interrupt you there? I don't think that's true. 可以打断你一下吗?我认为那不是事实。
I’m sorry, but we’re running short on time. Can you please summarize very quickly so we can finish up? 抱歉,我们的时间不多了。请您快速总结一下我们就结束好吗?
I appreciate your enthusiasm on this topic, but I’m afraid we have a couple more people to hear from. 感谢您对这个话题的热情,但我们还得听听另外几个人的发言。
Could you two please discuss that issue privately after the meeting? We have several more items to cover and need to move on at this point. 请你们两位会后私下讨论那个问题好吗?我们还有几项内容要谈,现在该进入下一项内容了。
I’m sorry, I really have to stop you there. We've run out of time. 抱歉,我必须在此打断你。我们没有时间了。
Let’s save that conversation for another time. 那事我们下次再谈吧。
Which Word? say / tellsay / tell- Say never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words:
say 从不以人作宾语,可说 say something 或 say something to somebody。say 常与直接引语连用: ‘Sit down,’ she said. “坐下。”她说。 Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’ 安妮说:“我累了。” Anne said (that) she was tired. 安妮说她累了。 What did he say to you? 他对你说了些什么?
不能用 say about,但可说 say something about: I want to say something/a few words/a little about my family. 我想谈谈我的家庭。
没有指明说话对象时,say 亦可与从句连用: She didn’t say what she intended to do. 她没说她想做什么。
- Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects:
tell 常带有两个宾语,其中一个通常是人: Have you told him the news yet? 你告诉他这消息了吗?
该词常与 that 从句连用: Anne told me (that) she was tired. 安妮对我说她累了。
tell 通常在某人告知事实或提供信息时使用,常与 what、where 等词连用: Can you tell me when the movie starts? 你能告诉我电影什么时候开演吗?
但: Can you give me some information about the school? 你能给我讲讲这所学校的情况吗?
发出指示时亦可用 tell: The doctor told me to stay in bed. 医生要我卧床休息。 The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed. 医生对我说我必须卧床休息。
或: The doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed. 医生说我必须卧床休息。
- The doctor said me to stay in bed.
Extra Examples‘I am home, ’ he said simply. “我回来了。”他简单地说。 ‘I don't know,’ she said crossly. “我不知道。”她气呼呼地说。 ‘There's nothing wrong with him, ’ she said airily. “他没事。”她轻描淡写地说。 ‘Well, at least we tried!’ he said with a shrug. “算了,至少我们尽力了!”他耸了耸肩说道。 ‘You'll see!’ Lianne said with a smile. “你等着瞧吧!”利安笑着说道。 A government spokesman was quoted as saying that they would take steps to restore order. 据政府发言人说,他们将采取措施恢复秩序。 Can you honestly say you're sorry? 你能诚心诚意地说对不起吗? I dared not say a word about it to anyone. 我不敢对任何人说起此事。 I heard him say they were leaving tomorrow. 我听到他说他们明天走。 I've forgotten what I was going to say. 我忘了自己刚才想要说什么了。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- aloud
- out loud
- loudly
- …
- be about to
- be going to
- hasten to
- …
- about
- to
- be quoted as saying something
- a thing to say
- I have to say
- …
- + speech
- [transitive] say something
to repeat words, phrases, etc. 念;朗诵;背诵 - [transitive, no passive]
(of something that is written or can be seen )书面材料或可见的东西 to give particular information or instructions 提供信息;指示 - + speech
The notice said ‘Keep Out’. 告示上写着 “禁止入内”。 - say something
The clock said three o'clock. 时钟显示三点整。 - say (that)…
The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours. 说明书上说我们应让它凝结四小时。 - say where, why, etc…
The book doesn't say where he was born. 书上没说他是在哪儿出生的。 - say to do something
The guidebook says to turn left. 旅游指南上说应向左拐。
- + speech
- [transitive, intransitive]
to express an opinion on something 表达,表述(见解) - say something
Say what you like (= although you disagree) about her, she's a fine singer. 随你怎么说,反正她唱歌唱得很好。 I'll say this for them, they're a very efficient company. 我要为他们说句公道话,他们公司的效率的确很高。 Anna thinks I'm lazy—what do you say (= what is your opinion)? 安娜觉得我懒,你说呢? - say (that)…
I can't say I blame her for resigning (= I think she was right). 她辞职,我不能说她不对。 I have to say I enjoyed every minute. 不得不说我享受每一分钟。 I say (= suggest) we go without them. 依我说,我们自己去,不带他们。 I wouldn't say they were rich (= in my opinion they are not rich). 要我说的话,他们并不富裕。 That's not to say it's a bad movie (= it is good but it is not without faults). 并不是说这部电影很糟糕。 - say what, how, etc…
It's hard to say what caused the accident. 很难说造成事故的原因是什么。 It's difficult to say whether the story is true. 这个故事是否真实很难说。 ‘When will it be finished?’ ‘I couldn't say (= I don't know).’ “什么时候能完?” “不好说。” Is it worth it? I would say not. 值得吗?我会说没有。
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb1Do you have anything to say about this? 对此事你有什么要说的吗? I wouldn't like to say what the impact might be on my business. 我不想说这对我的业务会有什么影响。 She wasn't at her best, it has to be said. 必须承认,她没有表现出最佳水平。 It's difficult to say exactly where it will land. 很难说它会在哪里着陆。 I hate to say it, but I think Stephen may be right. 我本不愿说,但我觉得斯蒂芬可能是对的。 I have to say I didn't expect it to be so good. 我得承认,我没料到会这么好。 It is fair to say a considerable amount of effort went into the project. 说句公道话,这一项目的参与者花费了很多心血。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- aloud
- out loud
- loudly
- …
- be about to
- be going to
- hasten to
- …
- about
- to
- be quoted as saying something
- a thing to say
- I have to say
- …
- say something
- [transitive]
to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to somebody by using words, looks, movements, etc. 表明,显示,表达(思想、感情) - [transitive]
to show, sometimes indirectly, what somebody/something is like 说明某人(或某事物)很好(或不怎么样等) - say something
That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true) 这实际上就说明了一切,是不是? - say something about somebody/something
The incident says an awful lot about his character. 这件事很能说明他的性格。 - say something to somebody
This says to me that there is more here than you are letting on. 这告诉我这里有比你透露的更多的东西。
- say something
- [transitive, no passive]
to suggest or give something as an example or a possibility 比方说;假设 - say something/somebody
You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months. 比方说,三个月你就可以掌握基本知识。 Let’s take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens… 我们随便举一个作家为例,比如说狄更斯… - say (that)…
Say you lose your job: what would you do then? 假设你把工作丢了,那你怎么办呢? Just say he refuses to talk to you. 就说他拒绝和你说话。
- say something/somebody
speak说
repeat words复述
give written information标示
express opinion表达见解
show thoughts/feelings表明思想/感情
show what somebody/something is like
give example举例
Word OriginOld English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.
Idioms
be easier said than done
before you can say Jack Robinson
- (old-fashioned)
very quickly; in a very short time 转瞬间;一刹那;说时迟,那时快
enough said
go without saying
have something, nothing, etc. to say for yourself
to be ready, unwilling, etc. to talk or give your views on something 有话(或没什么等)要说 She doesn't have much to say for herself (= doesn't take part in conversation). 她没多少要说的。 He had plenty to say for himself (= he had a lot of opinions and was willing to talk). 他有一肚子的话要说。 Late again—what have you got to say for yourself (= what is your excuse)? 又迟到了,这回你有什么借口呢?
have something to say (to somebody) about something
having said that | that said
- (informal)
used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong (用以缓和语气)虽然这么说,话虽如此 I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it's a challenge. 我有时会为这份工作而感到忧虑。话虽如此,我还是很喜欢干的,因为这是一个挑战。
I dare say
(also I daresay especially in British English)
used when you are saying that something is likely Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2我想;很可能;大概
if you don’t mind me/my saying so…
I hear what you're saying
used to tell somebody that you have listened to their opinion, especially when you are going to express a different opinion 表达,表述(见解) I hear what you're saying, but you're wrong. 我已经听到你的意见了,但你错了。
I’ll say!
I’m glad to say (that…)
I’m sorry to say
I must say
- (informal)
used to emphasize an opinion Topics Opinion and argumentc1(强调所发表的意见)我必须说
I say (British English, old-fashioned, informal)
it says a lot, very little, etc. for somebody/something
I wouldn’t say no (to something)
least said soonest mended
- (British English, saying)
a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it 只要没人再说,事情就会过去
the less/least said the better
the best thing to do is say as little as possible about something 少说为妙
let's just say
used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to (表示对某种情况感到高兴)我很高兴地说 Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it). 只能说他对这个决定不太满意。
let us say
mean to say
needless to say
never say die
- (saying)
do not stop hoping 别泄气;别气馁;不言放弃
no sooner said than done
used to say that something was, or will be, done immediately 说干就干
not have a good word to say for somebody/something
not say boo to a goose (British English)
(North American English not say boo to anyone)
not to say
used to introduce a stronger way of describing something (引出语气更重的描述)即使不是…,虽不能说… a difficult, not to say impossible, task 即便不是办不到,也是难办到的一项任务
say cheese
used to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph (照相前请人微笑时)说 “茄子”;笑一笑
say a mouthful
- (North American English, informal)
to say something important 公开发表(意见等) You said a mouthful there, buddy. 你说得太多了,伙计。
say no (to something)
say no more
say your piece
to say exactly what you feel or think 说出心里话
say what?
say when
used to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough (给饮料或食物时说)够了请说一声
say/give the word
suffice (it) to say (that)…
used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean 无须多说;只需说…就够了 I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster. 我就不详细说了。可以说整个事件是一场彻底的灾难。
that is to say
in other words 换句话说;也就是说 three days from now, that is to say on Friday 三天以后,也就是说星期五
that said | having said that
used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong Topics Opinion and argumentc1(用以缓和语气)虽然这么说,话虽如此
that’s not saying much
there’s no saying
there’s something, not much, etc. to be said for something/doing something
there are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with something Topics Opinion and argumentc2有(或没有太多等)理由去做(或相信、同意)某事
to say the least
to say nothing of something
used to introduce a further fact or thing in addition to those already mentioned synonym not to mention更不用说…;而且还
well said!
- (informal)
I agree completely Topics Opinion and argumentc2说得好;完全赞同
what do/would you say (to something/doing something)
whatever you say
- (informal)
used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue Topics Opinion and argumentc2, Suggestions and advicec2(因不想争论而同意)由你,随你
what/whatever somebody says, goes
when all is said and done
who can say (…)?
who says (…)?
- (informal)
used to disagree with a statement or an opinion Topics Opinion and argumentc2(表示不同意)谁说(…)
who’s to say (…)?
you can say that again
- (informal)
I agree with you completely Topics Opinion and argumentc1让你说对了;一点没错;正是这样
you can’t say fairer (than that)
- (British English, informal)
used to say that you think the offer you are making is reasonable or generous (出价时说)再公道不过了 Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that. 听着,我给你100美元。你不能说比这更公平。
you don’t say!
you said it! (informal)
- (British English)
used to agree with somebody when they say something about themselves that you would not have been rude enough to say yourself Topics Opinion and argumentc2(同意对方所作而碍于礼貌自己不便作出的评价)这话可是你说的 - (North American English)
used to agree with somebody’s suggestion Topics Opinion and argumentc2, Suggestions and advicec2(同意对方的提议)正合我心意