说 shuō

HSK 1 Writing L2

To use spoken words to explain, persuade, or make meaning clear. To say, speak, talk, explain, or express a point of view. The speech radical 讠 beside 兑 (exchange) — words moving between speakers.

Common Usage & Traps

  • 说话 (shuō huà) — to talk, to speak (in general)
  • 说中文 (shuō Zhōngwén) — to speak Chinese
  • 他说 (tā shuō) — he says / he said
  • 你说呢 (nǐ shuō ne) — what do you think? (lit. what do you say?)
  • 会说中文 (huì shuō Zhōngwén) — can speak Chinese (know how to)
  • 我说话中文 我说中文

    说话 is one glued-together chunk meaning 'to talk'. Nothing else fits inside it. To name the language, drop 话: 我说中文.

  • 我说他 'I said to him' 我对他说 / 我跟他说

    A person right after 说 becomes the topic, not the listener. 我说他 means you talked about him, usually behind his back.

  • 说汉语 说中文

    Not wrong, just stiff. 中文 is the everyday word in conversation; 汉语 sounds like a classroom or an exam paper.

Can I say 我说话中文 to mean 'I speak Chinese'?

No. 说话 already means 'to talk' and won't take another object. Say 我说中文.

说话 is a fixed chunk: 说 (speak) plus 话 (words), meaning 'to talk' as one unit. You can't shove another object inside it, so 我说话中文 collapses. To name the language, drop 话 and say 我说中文. If you just mean 'he's talking', 说话 stands alone: 他在说话。
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Talking in general他在说话。他在说话中文。
Naming the language我说中文。我说话中文。
Asking what was said你说什么?你说话什么?

Is 我说他 the right way to say 'I said to him'?

No. 我说他 means you talked about him, usually trash-talking. Use 我对他说 or 我跟他说.

说 can't take a person as the thing you actually said. Put a person right after 说 and that person becomes the topic, not the listener. So 我说他 really means 'I said something about him', usually not nice. To aim words at someone, add 对 (toward) or 跟 (with) first: 我对他说 '你好'。
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Speaking to someone我对他说:'你好。'我说他:'你好。'
Talking with someone我跟他说中文。我说他中文。
Talking about someone我说他懒。Same words, but it means 'I called him lazy', not 'I told him'.

Do I say 我说中文 or 我会说中文 for 'I speak Chinese'?

我会说中文 means you have the skill. 我说中文 just reports the words leaving your mouth.

会 flags a skill you learned, so 我会说中文 means 'I know how to speak Chinese'. Plain 我说中文 just describes the act happening now, or a habit. The same split shows up with other verbs: 我会做菜 (I can cook) versus 我在做菜 (I'm cooking right now).
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Claiming a skill我会说中文。我说中文。(if you mean 'I can')
Describing right now我在说中文。我会在说中文。
Same pattern, other verbs我会做菜。我做菜。(if you mean 'I can cook')

Appears in Stories 31 stories

《饥饿的深意》 The Hidden Meaning of Hunger
HSK 7 ~11 min read 1243 chars
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Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.

  • 他 说 今年出口不好做,运费涨了三成,利润压到五个点以下。

  • 对面做服装的老总接话 说 ,那你还撑什么。

  • 他 说 ,不撑怎么办,底下三百多个人等着发工资。

  • 说 这句话的时候,他筷子搁在碗上。

  • 服务员过来要撤,他 说 ,放着吧,等会儿还喝。

  • 他一直在 说话 ,跟左边的人谈汇率,跟右边的人谈仓储。

  • 他 说 我不吃这个。

  • 副总 说 您尝尝,趁热,今天的肉不错。

  • 散席后他 说 要送我一段儿。

  • 他 说 :“货款拖了四个月了,再不给,这周我就停了你的货!”

  • 我 说 还行。

  • 他 说 “还行”是哪种“还行”。

  • 我 说 过得去。

  • 他 说 过得就行,比我强。

  • 他 说 吃了。

  • 我 说 您吃的那几口不算吃。

  • 他转头看我一眼,没 说话 。

  • 他 说 ,我这些年养成的习惯,饭局上少吃,特别是不碰荤菜,碰了脑子就不清醒。

  • 他忽然 说 ,十多年前他第一次跟大客户吃饭。

  • 结果第二天对方笑着砍了他五个点的价,一边还看着他眼睛 说 ,看你昨天吃东西的样子就知道你这人没坏心眼,肯定没跟我们要高价,就便宜百分之五吧。

  • 我 说 那您不饿吗。

  • 他 说 饿,怎么不饿。

  • 他 说 你看,永远都是这样,永远事儿都是不断。

  • 他摇下车窗跟我 说 了句,改天有空儿来我办公室坐坐。

《哪里哪里!》 Where is 'Where'?
HSK 1 ~6 min read 432 chars
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Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.

  • 大山:怎么 说 “where”?

  • 说 “哪里”就可以。

  • 我听钱老师 说 ,“where”是“哪儿”。

  • 北京人喜欢 说 “哪儿”,上海人喜欢 说 “哪里”。

  • 北京人 说 “哪儿”。

  • 那,北京人怎么 说 “here”和“there”?

  • 小米:北京人喜欢 说 “这儿”和“那儿”。

  • 北京人也 说 “这里”和“那里”吗?

  • 小米:也 说 。

  • 上海人也 说 “这儿”和“那儿”。

  • 我觉得老上海人喜欢 说 “这里”、“那里”和“哪里”,不喜欢 说 “……

  • 上海的大学生,“哪里”、“哪儿”都 说 。

  • 他们也 说 “这儿”、“那儿”。

  • 大山 说 我的汉语很好。

  • 我 要说 “哪里!

  • , 也可以说 “哪儿!

《你误会方便面了吗?》 Are Instant Noodles Misunderstood?
HSK 6 ~10 min read 1171 chars
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Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.

  • 据说 方便面被日本评为二十世纪最伟大的发明之一。

  • 近年来,中国关于方便面的各种 说法 几乎全部都是“方便面是一种不健康的食物,是垃圾食物”。

  • 今天我们就来为方便面 说 两句话——方便面真的是被大家误会了。

  • 就是说 方便面里面基本没有水,所以就算在里面什么“东西”也不加,它也不会长毛变坏。

  • 就是说 ,没有任何一种食物可以提供全面营养,也就没有任何人只吃一种食物就可以完全满足身体的需要。

  • 就是说 ,高温的时候也不容易产生有害物质。

  • 我们通常 说 ,加热食品的时候,最高不能超过200℃。

  • 前面 说过 有的方便面是热风干燥,那它的含油量更是几乎可以忽略不计。

  • 误会四:方便面咸关于盐, 说实话 ,方便面里面的盐并不多,含盐率仅为1.6%至2%。

  • 所以, 说 方便面里盐太多,也是误会。

《大学者和小人物》 The Scholar and the Cookie Seller
HSK 5 ~8 min read 882 chars
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Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.

  • 他比较支持美国,但理论上 说 不明白,一直得不到满意的解释。

  • 信中 说 :“你提出的问题太大,我不能给你一个可以使我自己认为满意的解释。

  • 我只能 说 ,你 说的 英国制度和美国制度其实没有什么不一样。

  • 你信上 说的 那个”杜鲁门没有带走一个人”的故事,也正和邱吉尔在一九四五年离开唐宁街十号时没有带走一个人,是一样的。

  • ““我还 可以说 ,我们这个地方,有一个卖饼干的,每天在街上叫卖饼干,但他还愿意关心国家大事,关心英美的政治制度,希望国家能走上正确的道路──只这件奇事,已够使我乐观,使我高兴了。

  • 胡之适 说 ,他喜欢游泳,可是鼻子里长了一个东西,水中呼吸不方便。

  • 元真告诉胡之适 说 ,他的鼻子里也长了一个差不多的东西。

  • 胡之适一听他 说 ,便立即给一位做院长的朋友写了封信, 说 :这是我的朋友元真。

  • 胡之适看到饼干,笑了, 说 :“我早就吃过了。

《五块钱》 The Five-Yuan Gift
HSK 1 ~6 min read 414 chars
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This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.

  • 老先生对高先明 说 :“去上学吧,上车。”

  • 高先明对老先生 说 :“谢谢您!

  • 老先生 说 :“不要给我。”

  • 高先明 说 :“老先生,谢谢您那天的五块钱。”

  • 老先生对高先明 说 :“我 说 不要给我。

  • 高先明对安小语 说 :“去上学吧,上车。”

  • 安小语非常高兴,对高先明 说 :“谢谢你!

  • 高先明对她 说 :“不要给我。

《谢谢你来看我》 Rain, Thank You for Visiting Me
HSK 1 ~2 min read 152 chars
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Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.

  • 听——我听见雨 说话 。

  • 我们,我和雨, 说话 。

  • 雨 说 :你好,你好。

  • 我 说 :你好,你好。

  • 我对雨 说 :谢谢!

  • 雨 说 :再见!

《吃的东西和喝的东西》 Buying Food and Drinks
HSK 1 ~4 min read 305 chars
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This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.

  • 我 说 ,我正在买东西呢。

  • 我男友 说 :“喂!

  • 我:“上个星期天, 你说 你喜欢他们的那个桌子和那个电脑椅。

  • 我的男友 说 :“那个桌子和椅子有点儿太贵了。

  • 我说 :“没关系!

《森林大火》 Forest Fires and a Homesick Heart
HSK 4 ~4 min read 454 chars
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Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.

  • 电视新闻 说 ,附近的森林大火已经烧了三天。

  • 科学家 说 ,受影响的不只是森林里的动物和植物,还有附近的城市。

  • 新闻里还 说 ,最近这些年,美国西部每年都出现的森林大火是气候变化的结果。

  • 爸爸 说 ,今年还好,就是有一点儿干。

  • 不过,好在没有 听说 有起火的地方。

《慢还是快?》 Slow or Fast? A Language Learner's Debate
HSK 2 ~8 min read 593 chars
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Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.

  • 汉语是“ 说 汉语”,也可以“听汉语”;但是中文是“读中文”,中文和汉字都是眼睛在看。

  • B:我们 说话 的时候,只 说 “汉语”就可以了, 就是说 “中文老师、汉语老师”都可以。

  • 我和他学 说话 ,也学认汉字。

  • 人太多,我很少真的 说 汉语,所以这个“汉语课”很没意思。

  • 我这四年要忙工作, 说真话 ,没有很多时间学汉语。

《谢谢您请》 The Day 'Please' Stayed Home
HSK 1 ~2 min read 132 chars
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Everyday greetings are a gateway to natural Chinese. Practice time-based hellos like “早上好” and “晚安,” learn to address teachers with the respectful “您,” and see how families skip formalities to speak warmly at home.

  • 手机问好 说 早安!

  • 想去睡觉 说 晚安!

  • 看见老师 说 您好!

  • 先生、女士也 说 “您”。

  • 家人、朋友关系好,“谢谢”、“您”、“请”太客气,在家 说话 不客气,可以 不说 “您和请”。

《是不是好朋友?》 Are We Good Friends? A Dinner Debate
HSK 1 ~4 min read 254 chars
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In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.

  • 谢大中对大家 说 :“英国和中国是好朋友,是不是?”

  • 我的女朋友 说 :“对!

  • 我 说 :”今天谢大中不想和我做好朋友了。

  • “谢大中 说 :“没问题。

《是谁要去玩?》 A Hot Day at School
HSK 1 ~4 min read 261 chars
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Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.

  • 我的儿子对我 说 :“爸爸,我想去学校玩儿“。

  • 儿子对我 说 :“学校今天真的很热、很热”。

  • 他妈 说 :“是吧!

  • 爸爸 说 了今天太热”。

《热面条》 Hot Noodles on a Cold Night
HSK 1 ~5 min read 399 chars
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Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.

  • 大中吃好面条,都对老先生 说 :“谢谢您,面条很好吃。”

  • 老先生很高兴,对大中 说 :“不客气,多吃一点儿。”

  • 老先生对大中 说 :“你来了!

  • 老先生对大中 说 :“我知道你天天晚上都来。

《学做中国菜》 Learning to Cook Chinese Food with a Friend
HSK 1 ~2 min read 123 chars
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Join a beginner as they ask a Chinese friend to teach them how to cook. This simple HSK 1 dialogue shows that learning one dish at a time is the best way to start.

  • 我 说 ,我想学做中国菜。

  • 小米 说 ,我再问你一个问题,你现在会做什么菜呢?

  • 我 说 ,我什么菜都不会做。

  • 小米 说 :“这没问题,你可以一个一个学习。”

《找“大白”》 Looking for Big White
HSK 1 ~5 min read 361 chars
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A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.

  • 老先生对白天明 说 :“我八十岁了,儿子和女儿都在北京工作,我一个人住在这里。

  • 天天在家里,很多天都没有人和我 说话 。

  • 听见有人和我 说话 ,我觉得非常高兴。”

  • 白天明对老先生 说 :“老先生,我天天都来这里和您 说话 。

《成语0001:东山再起》 The Comeback: From Eastern Mountain to Success
HSK 7 ~5 min read 589 chars
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Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.

  • 朋友跟他开玩笑 说 :“你以前一直待在东山,现在终于愿意出来重新开始了。”

  • 比如,一个公司破产了,老板又重新创业赚钱,我们就 可以说 “他东山再起了”。

  • 当年乔布斯被踢出苹果公司,十年后,他又重回苹果,这件事 也可以说 “乔布斯东山再起了。”

《这还是茶馆儿吗?》 Teahouse or Cinema?
HSK 3 ~3 min read 325 chars
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Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.

  • 他 说 ,现在喜欢去茶馆喝茶的老北京不很多了。

  • 老北京们去茶馆,就是因为想喝茶,也为了跟朋友 说说话 什么的。

  • 他们常用北京话 说 :新鲜啊!

《很贵的苹果》 The Expensive Apples
HSK 1 ~2 min read 137 chars
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This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.

  • 她们 说 小苹果非常好吃。

  • 她 说 她不知道。

《这样子好吗?》 The Clever Child Who Asked for More
HSK 2 ~3 min read 189 chars
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In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.

  • 钱老师 说 :“你已经十岁了,已经是个大孩子了。

  • 小钱想了想, 说 :”爸爸你 说得对 !

《我们一家》 A Family Dinner at the Restaurant
HSK 2 ~6 min read 401 chars
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In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.

  • 我的朋友 说 这个饭馆虽然很小,但是很有名。

  • B:你只有一个儿子,所以不要 说 “大儿子”,也不要 说 “小女儿”, 就说 “女儿”就好。

《友好的高友朋》 A Friendly New Friend at Work
HSK 2 ~4 min read 243 chars
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Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

  • 高友朋 说 他是老北京。

  • 他 说 周六可以教我做几个北京菜。

《七号桌的客人》 The Guest at Table Seven
HSK 1 ~5 min read 396 chars
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This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.

  • 老先生看看大中,对大中 说 :“五年前,我儿子也在这家饭店工作。

  • 他对老先生 说 :“老先生,您来了!

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.

  • 谢医生对马家友 说 :“苹果不是医院给的。

  • 老先生 说 ,你一个人在中国。

《我的一天》 My Day by the Clock
HSK 1 ~1 min read 72 chars
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Step through a full day—from morning routines to bedtime—and pick up practical phrases for telling time and talking about your own schedule with a typical Chinese rhyme.

  • 怎么 说 时间?

《这个苹果不是中国苹果》 Six Apples, Two Origins
HSK 1 ~1 min read 66 chars
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In this easy story, you will follow a simple trip to the supermarket to buy apples. Practice numbers, question words, and nationalities in a real-life shopping context.

  • 她 说 她不知道。

《问问题》 Asking Questions
HSK 1 ~2 min read 107 chars
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Before you read, think about the questions you ask every day. This simple poem shows you how to ask age, price, time, and more in friendly Chinese.

  • 问问题,要知道,问老师, 说 “请问”。

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • B:可以,请 说 。

《你也在想我吗》 Do You Miss Me Too?
HSK 1 ~2 min read 128 chars
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This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.

  • 我想对你 说 :今天,我很想你。

《米老师的一天》 A Doctor's Daily Routine
HSK 1 ~3 min read 216 chars
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Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.

  • 米中家妈妈 说 :“这不是‘米老师的一天’,这是‘米老师的天天’”。

《十四不是四十!》 Fourteen Is Not Forty: A Chinese Tongue Twister
HSK 1 ~1 min read 62 chars
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This short, rhythmic text is a famous Chinese tongue twister. It helps beginners practice the difference between sì (four) and shí (ten) while building confidence in speaking.

  • 没事儿 说说 四和十, 说好 汉语不是事儿。

《女朋友的苹果手机》 The Girlfriend's Apple Phone
HSK 3 ~3 min read 314 chars
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This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.

  • B:我真 不想说 这件事。

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