HSK Guide

jiǎngto tell, to relate (a story, an event)

jiǎng (third tone, dipping)jiang3

Traditional:

to tell, to relate (a story, an event)

HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
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Meanings

  1. to tell, to relate (a story, an event)

    Delivering content, not merely producing words. 说 is what your mouth does; 讲 is what a teacher, a storyteller or an explainer does — there is something being conveyed, and it takes a while.

    verb
  2. to explain, to teach (a lesson, a point)

    verb

Example sentences

  • 老师讲得很清楚。老師講得很清楚。Lǎoshī (third tone, dipping) jiǎng (third tone, dipping) de (neutral tone) hěn (third tone, dipping) qīngchu. (first tone, high and level)···

    The teacher explains things very clearly.

  • 他给孩子们讲了一个故事。他給孩子們講了一個故事。 (first tone, high and level) gěi (third tone, dipping) háizimen (second tone, rising) jiǎngle (third tone, dipping) (second tone, rising) ge (neutral tone) gùshi. (fourth tone, falling)···

    He told the children a story.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite他给我说了一个故事。

    Correct他给我讲了一个故事。

    A story has content and length, so it is 讲 that carries it. 说 goes with words and short utterances — 说话, 说汉语, 说一句.