====== jiǎng: 讲 - To Speak, To Say, To Explain, To Negotiate ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **Keywords:** 讲, jiǎng, Chinese verb for speak, how to say explain in Chinese, tell a story in Chinese, negotiate in Chinese, bargain in Chinese, 讲价, 讲故事, 讲话, 讲究, learn Chinese verb.
  *   **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **讲 (jiǎng)**, a word that goes far beyond just "to speak." This page breaks down how to use **讲** to tell a story (讲故事), explain a concept, give a lecture (讲话), and even negotiate a price (讲价). Discover its cultural significance and avoid common mistakes to sound more like a native speaker.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiǎng
  *   **Part of Speech:** Verb
  *   **HSK Level:** HSK 2
  *   **Concise Definition:** To speak, say, explain, tell, or negotiate.
  *   **In a Nutshell:** While a beginner might learn an early synonym like 说 (shuō) for "to say," **讲 (jiǎng)** implies a more structured or detailed form of speech. Think of it as "to expound," "to narrate," or "to lecture on." If you're telling a story, explaining a problem, or bargaining at a market, **讲 (jiǎng)** is the verb you need. It elevates the simple act of speaking to a more purposeful act of communication.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **讲 (jiǎng):** This is a phono-semantic compound character, which means it has one part for meaning and one part for sound.
    *   **Radical 讠(yán):** This is the "speech" radical, derived from the character 言 (yán). Whenever you see this on the left side of a character, it almost always relates to words, language, or speaking.
    *   **Phonetic Component 冓 (gòu):** This part provides the sound for **讲 (jiǎng)**. On its own, 冓 depicts interlocking structures, which beautifully complements the meaning radical.
  *   **Combined Meaning:** You can think of **讲** as "structured (冓) speech (讠)." This is why it's used for coherent, planned communication like stories, lectures, and explanations, rather than just casual utterances.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  *   **The Art of Elucidation:** In Chinese culture, there is a high value placed on clear teaching and storytelling. **讲 (jiǎng)** is the verb at the heart of this. The classic image is of a 老师 (lǎoshī - teacher) **讲课 (jiǎngkè - giving a lecture)** or a grandparent **讲故事 (jiǎng gùshi - telling a story)**. The word implies a transfer of knowledge, wisdom, or narrative from one person to another, which is a cornerstone of a society that values heritage and education.
  *   **讲 vs. "To Talk":** In English, "to talk" can be very casual. In Chinese, while you can **谈 (tán)** or **聊天 (liáotiān)** casually, **讲** often carries more weight. It's less about a two-way chat and more about a one-way explanation or narration.
  *   **讲究 (jiǎngjiu) - The Value of "Being Particular":** The word **讲究 (jiǎngjiu)**, which literally means "to speak of seeking," is a deeply cultural concept. It means "to be particular about," "to be meticulous," or "to value refinement." For example, someone can be **讲究** about the tea they drink, the clothes they wear, or the way they arrange their home. This reflects a cultural appreciation for detail, quality, and aesthetics—things that are "worth speaking about" and paying attention to.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**讲 (jiǎng)** is an incredibly versatile and common verb in daily life.
  *   **Narrating and Lecturing:** This is its most classic use.
    *   `讲故事 (jiǎng gùshi)` - to tell a story
    *   `讲笑话 (jiǎng xiàohuà)` - to tell a joke
    *   `讲课 (jiǎng kè)` - to give a lesson/lecture
    *   `讲话 (jiǎng huà)` - to give a speech (more formal than 说话 shuōhuà)
  *   **Explaining and Clarifying:** This is extremely common in everyday requests.
    *   `你给我讲一下。(Nǐ gěi wǒ jiǎng yīxià.)` - "Explain it to me for a moment." This is a key phrase for any learner.
  *   **Negotiating and Bargaining:** This is a must-know for anyone shopping at a Chinese market.
    *   `讲价 (jiǎng jià)` - to bargain the price. It's a set phrase.
    *   `这个价格可以讲吗？ (Zhège jiàgé kěyǐ jiǎng ma?)` - "Can this price be negotiated?"
  *   **Stressing a Point or Condition:** **讲** can also mean to emphasize or be particular about an abstract concept.
    *   `我们公司很讲效率。(Wǒmen gōngsī hěn jiǎng xiàolǜ.)` - "Our company really stresses efficiency."
    *   `做人要讲信用。(Zuòrén yào jiǎng xìnyòng.)` - "When conducting yourself, you must value credibility."
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   老师正在给学生们**讲**一个历史故事。
    *   Pinyin: Lǎoshī zhèngzài gěi xuéshēngmen **jiǎng** yīgè lìshǐ gùshi.
    *   English: The teacher is telling the students a history story.
    *   Analysis: This is a classic use of **讲** for narration. It's more vivid and appropriate than 说 (shuō) here.
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   在中国的很多市场，你都可以**讲**价。
    *   Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó de hěnduō shìchǎng, nǐ dōu kěyǐ **jiǎng** jià.
    *   English: In many markets in China, you can bargain.
    *   Analysis: Highlights the set phrase **讲价 (jiǎngjià)**. This is a highly practical and non-negotiable (pun intended) vocabulary item.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   这个问题有点复杂，你能不能给我**讲**清楚？
    *   Pinyin: Zhège wèntí yǒudiǎn fùzá, nǐ néng bùnéng gěi wǒ **jiǎng** qīngchu?
    *   English: This problem is a bit complicated, can you explain it to me clearly?
    *   Analysis: **讲清楚 (jiǎng qīngchu)** means "to explain clearly." This shows **讲** being used to request a detailed explanation.
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   你这个人怎么不**讲**道理啊？
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ zhège rén zěnme bù **jiǎng** dàolǐ a?
    *   English: How can you be so unreasonable?
    *   Analysis: A very common, colloquial phrase. **讲道理 (jiǎng dàolǐ)** literally means "to speak reason/logic." Not doing so means you're being unreasonable.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   明天开会，老板要**讲**话。
    *   Pinyin: Míngtiān kāihuì, lǎobǎn yào **jiǎng**huà.
    *   English: The boss is going to give a speech at the meeting tomorrow.
    *   Analysis: **讲话 (jiǎnghuà)** refers to a formal speech or address, distinct from the casual act of **说话 (shuōhuà)**, "to talk."
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   他做事很认真，凡事都**讲**原则。
    *   Pinyin: Tā zuòshì hěn rènzhēn, fánshì dōu **jiǎng** yuánzé.
    *   English: He is very serious in his work and adheres to principles in everything he does.
    *   Analysis: This shows the abstract meaning of **讲** as "to stress" or "to be particular about." Here, he stresses principles.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   别哭了，我给你**讲**个笑话吧。
    *   Pinyin: Bié kū le, wǒ gěi nǐ **jiǎng** ge xiàohuà ba.
    *   English: Don't cry, let me tell you a joke.
    *   Analysis: Demonstrates the fixed phrase **讲笑话 (jiǎng xiàohuà)**, to tell a joke.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   我们先**讲**好条件，再开始合作。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒmen xiān **jiǎng** hǎo tiáojiàn, zài kāishǐ hézuò.
    *   English: Let's negotiate the terms first, then we can start cooperating.
    *   Analysis: Here, **讲好 (jiǎng hǎo)** means to come to an agreement through discussion or negotiation. It implies reaching a satisfactory conclusion.
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   他对吃非常**讲**究，只去高档餐厅。
    *   Pinyin: Tā duì chī fēicháng **jiǎng**jiu, zhǐ qù gāodàng cāntīng.
    *   English: He is very particular about food and only goes to high-end restaurants.
    *   Analysis: Uses the related compound **讲究 (jiǎngjiu)** to show the cultural concept of being meticulous or refined about something.
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   我听不懂，请你用简单的中文再**讲**一遍。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒ tīng bù dǒng, qǐng nǐ yòng jiǎndān de Zhōngwén zài **jiǎng** yībiàn.
    *   English: I don't understand, please explain it again in simple Chinese.
    *   Analysis: A very useful sentence for a learner. **讲一遍 (jiǎng yībiàn)** means "to explain it one more time."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **讲 (jiǎng) vs. 说 (shuō):** This is the most common point of confusion.
    *   **说 (shuō):** The default, general verb for "to say" or "to speak." Use it for quoting someone, making a simple statement, or for the general act of talking.
        *   Correct: `他说他累了。(Tā shuō tā lèi le.)` - He said he was tired.
        *   Awkward: `他讲他累了。` (This sounds overly formal, as if he gave a lecture about being tired).
    *   **讲 (jiǎng):** Use for structured, one-way communication that involves detail, like a story, a lecture, an explanation, or a joke.
        *   Correct: `他给我讲了一个故事。(Tā gěi wǒ jiǎng le yí ge gùshi.)` - He told me a story.
  *   **讲 (jiǎng) vs. 告诉 (gàosu):**
    *   **告诉 (gàosu):** "To tell" someone a piece of information. The focus is on the transmission of a fact. It almost always takes an indirect object (telling *someone*).
        *   `他告诉我他的名字。(Tā gàosu wǒ tā de míngzi.)` - He told me his name.
    *   **讲 (jiǎng):** "To tell" a narrative. The focus is on the story or explanation itself.
        *   `他给我讲了他的故事。(Tā gěi wǒ jiǎng le tā de gùshi.)` - He told me his life story.
  *   **Incorrect Collocations:** A learner might incorrectly create their own phrases.
    *   Incorrect: `我想说价。 (Wǒ xiǎng shuō jià.)`
    *   Correct: `我想讲价。 (Wǒ xiǎng jiǎngjià.)` - Bargaining is always **讲价**.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[说话]] (shuōhuà) - To speak, to talk. Refers to the general act of producing speech. **讲** is a specific, structured type of **说话**.
  *   [[告诉]] (gàosu) - To tell, to inform. Focuses on conveying a specific piece of information to someone.
  *   [[谈]] (tán) - To talk over, to discuss, to chat. Implies a two-way conversation or negotiation.
  *   [[讲座]] (jiǎngzuò) - A lecture, a seminar. A noun form directly related to **讲**, referring to a formal talk.
  *   [[演讲]] (yǎnjiǎng) - A speech, a public address. A very formal type of prepared talk.
  *   [[讲价]] (jiǎngjià) - To bargain, to haggle. A set phrase and an essential skill for using **讲**.
  *   [[讲究]] (jiǎngjiu) - To be particular about, meticulous. An adjective or verb showing a culturally important extension of **讲**.
  *   [[讲解]] (jiǎngjiě) - To explain, to interpret. A more formal verb for explaining something in detail, often used in educational or museum contexts.