Inklingo

How to Say "speech" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “speech” is “lenguaje” — use this word when referring to the general faculty or system of human communication through words, both spoken and written.

lenguaje🔊A1

Use this word when referring to the general faculty or system of human communication through words, both spoken and written.

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palabras🔊A1

Use this when referring to individual words or a short, informal utterance, like 'a few words'.

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presentaciónA1

Choose this for a formal address or presentation given to an audience, often in an academic or professional setting.

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discurso🔊B1

Use this for a formal, often lengthy, spoken address, typically on a serious subject, like a political speech or lecture.

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habla🔊B1

This refers to the physical act or the ability to speak, the faculty of vocal communication.

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intervenciónB2

Opt for this when referring to a brief contribution or remark made during a discussion, meeting, or debate.

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hablado🔊B2

Use this term to describe a person's particular accent, dialect, or characteristic way of speaking.

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verbo🔊C1

This refers to a person's eloquence, their command of language, or their particular style of speaking.

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English → Spanish

lenguaje

len-GWA-hehleŋˈɡwa.xe

nounA1general
Use this word when referring to the general faculty or system of human communication through words, both spoken and written.
Two simplified human figures communicating face-to-face, indicated by colorful abstract sound waves flowing between them.

Examples

El lenguaje es lo que nos diferencia de los animales.

Language is what differentiates us from animals.

El desarrollo del lenguaje en los niños es fascinante.

The development of language in children is fascinating.

It's always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', 'lenguaje' is always a masculine noun. You must use 'el lenguaje' (the language) and never 'la lenguaje'.

Lenguaje vs. Idioma/Lengua

Mistake: “Using 'lenguaje' to mean a specific language like Spanish.”

Correction: Use 'idioma' or 'lengua' for specific languages. 'Lenguaje' means the general ability to speak or a style of communication. E.g., 'Hablo el idioma español' (I speak the Spanish language).

palabras

pa-LA-braspaˈlaβɾas

nounA1general
Use this when referring to individual words or a short, informal utterance, like 'a few words'.
A friendly person speaking, with several brightly colored, distinct speech bubbles floating away from their mouth, representing individual words.

Examples

No entiendo estas palabras.

I don't understand these words.

Me faltan las palabras para expresar mi gratitud.

Words fail me to express my gratitude.

El presidente dio unas palabras de bienvenida.

The president gave a few words of welcome.

Always Plural for 'Words'

When you're talking about more than one word, you always use 'palabras'. It's simply the plural form of 'palabra' (word).

It's a Feminine Word

'Palabras' is a feminine word, so you use 'las' or 'unas' with it, like 'las palabras difíciles' (the difficult words).

Forgetting the Gender

Mistake: “Los palabras son importantes.”

Correction: Use 'las' because 'palabras' is feminine: 'Las palabras son importantes.' A good trick is that many words ending in '-a' are feminine.

presentación

nounA1formal
Choose this for a formal address or presentation given to an audience, often in an academic or professional setting.

Examples

Tengo que preparar una presentación para la clase de historia mañana.

I have to prepare a presentation for history class tomorrow.

discurso

dees-KOOR-sodisˈkuɾso

nounB1formal
Use this for a formal, often lengthy, spoken address, typically on a serious subject, like a political speech or lecture.
A well-dressed person stands behind a simple wooden podium with a microphone, gesturing with one hand while delivering a formal speech to an unseen audience.

Examples

El presidente dio un discurso sobre la economía del país.

The president gave a speech about the country's economy.

Fue un discurso muy emotivo que hizo llorar a varias personas.

It was a very emotional speech that made several people cry.

Tengo que preparar un discurso para la boda de mi hermana.

I have to prepare a speech for my sister's wedding.

habla

AH-blahˈa.βla

nounB1general
This refers to the physical act or the ability to speak, the faculty of vocal communication.
A simple, stylized profile silhouette of a human head against a bright background, with abstract, flowing ribbons of light emanating from the mouth, representing the concept of human speech.

Examples

El habla es una de las capacidades que nos diferencia de los animales.

Speech is one of the abilities that differentiates us from animals.

Reconozco su habla; es de Andalucía.

I recognize his way of speaking; he's from Andalusia.

Después del susto, se quedó sin habla.

After the scare, she was left speechless.

A Tricky Gender Rule: 'El' habla

Even though 'habla' is a feminine word (meaning you'd describe it with feminine words like 'el habla clara'), we say 'el habla' instead of 'la habla'. This is a special rule to avoid the awkward 'a-a' sound clash. It happens with other feminine words that start with a stressed 'a', like 'agua' (el agua).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “La habla de los niños es fascinante.”

Correction: El habla de los niños es fascinante. Remember the sound-clash rule! Use 'el' right before 'habla' when it's singular.

intervención

nounB2formal
Opt for this when referring to a brief contribution or remark made during a discussion, meeting, or debate.

Examples

Su intervención en la reunión fue muy breve.

His speech in the meeting was very brief.

hablado

ah-BLAH-dohaˈbla.ðo

nounB2colloquial
Use this term to describe a person's particular accent, dialect, or characteristic way of speaking.
An illustration of a person whose speech is represented by three different types of sound waves—jagged red, smooth blue, and wavy yellow—to symbolize different manners or styles of speaking.

Examples

Tiene el hablado típico de los argentinos.

He has the typical way of speaking of Argentinians.

Reconocí su hablado andaluz inmediatamente.

I recognized his Andalusian accent immediately.

Su hablado es muy educado y formal.

His way of speaking is very polite and formal.

Referring to 'Speech' as a Thing

In this use, 'hablado' is a noun—it's a thing you can describe. It refers to a person's specific style of speech, their accent, or their dialect. It's always masculine: 'el hablado'.

verbo

BEHR-bohˈbeɾ.bo

nounC1literary
This refers to a person's eloquence, their command of language, or their particular style of speaking.
A person standing on a small wooden stage with their hand raised, speaking to a group of people.

Examples

El orador tenía un verbo fácil y elegante.

The speaker had an easy and elegant way of speaking.

Su verbo encendido inspiró a los trabajadores.

His passionate speech inspired the workers.

En el principio era el Verbo.

In the beginning was the Word.

Capitalization for religion

When 'Verbo' refers to the religious concept of 'The Word', it is usually capitalized.

Misusing 'facilidad de verbo'

Mistake: “Él tiene facilidad de verbo para correr.”

Correction: Él tiene facilidad de verbo cuando habla en público.

Discurso vs. Habla vs. Lenguaje

Learners often confuse 'discurso' (a formal address) with 'habla' (the ability to speak) and 'lenguaje' (the system of language). Remember that 'discurso' is about *what* is said in a specific instance, while 'habla' is about the *act* of speaking, and 'lenguaje' is the broader concept of communication.

Related Translations

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