Does the distinction between speak and say have any equivalent in Mandarin?
说 can mean 'speak' or 'say' e.g. 我說不用了(I said there's no need); 我会说英语 (I can speak English)
'道' (to say) is a literary/classical term for '说'(say). e.g. 某某道：「如此这般」= XX said: &quot;So and so&quot;, but you cannot use '道' for 'speak', as in &quot;speak Chinese&quot;
'操' (to use; to speak) is another literary term for '说'(speak). e.g. 本人能操流利粤语 (I can speak fluent Cantonese), but you cannot use '操' for 'say', as in &quot;please say something&quot;
'讲' Cantonese dialectical word: say; speak e.g. 讲英文 (speak English); 我讲过 (I had said)
'讲' Mandarin: V: to emphasize, to speak; to talk. e.g. 讲佛经 (talk Buddhist scriptures)