Both mean 'hablar', but one is more formal and one-directional, the other more conversational.
Verb. To use spoken language. More formal, often one-directional. Used for languages and formal presentations.
She speaks three languages fluently.
Ella habla tres idiomas con fluidez.
He will speak at the conference tomorrow.
Él hablará en la conferencia mañana.
Can I speak to the manager?
¿Puedo hablar con el gerente?
Verb. To have a conversation with someone. More informal and bidirectional. Implies an exchange between two or more people.
We talked for hours about our plans.
Hablamos durante horas sobre nuestros planes.
Can we talk? I need to tell you something.
¿Podemos hablar? Necesito decirte algo.
They are always talking in class.
Siempre están hablando en clase.
Common mistake
Using "talk" for language skills. Wrong: "She talks three languages." (correct: She speaks three languages.)
Trick to remember it
"Speak" = formal, one-directional (give a speech, know a language). "Talk" = conversational, bidirectional (chat, have a conversation). Is there an exchange between two people? Use "talk". Is it formal or about language skills? Use "speak".
Quick rule
Is it formal or about language skills? Use "speak". Is it an informal conversation between two people? Use "talk".
Did you know?
"Talk the talk, walk the walk" means to back up your words with actions. It always uses "talk", not "speak". Fixed expressions like "talk sense", "pillow talk", and "table talk" always use "talk". Meanwhile, "speak your mind", "speak volumes", and "speak up" always use "speak".
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
How many languages do you _____?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
They were _____ so loudly that I could not concentrate.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it formal or about language skills? Use "speak". Is it an informal conversation between two people? Use "talk".
Using "talk" for language skills. Wrong: "She talks three languages." (correct: She speaks three languages.)
"Speak" = formal, one-directional (give a speech, know a language). "Talk" = conversational, bidirectional (chat, have a conversation). Is there an exchange between two people? Use "talk". Is it formal or about language skills? Use "speak".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy