Both mean 'hablar', but one is more formal and one-directional, the other more conversational.
"Speak" is more formal and can refer to a language skill or a formal presentation. "She speaks French" = she has that language ability. "Speak at a conference" = give a talk at a conference.
She speaks three languages fluently.
He will speak at the conference tomorrow.
Can I speak to the manager?
"Talk" is more informal and implies a two-way conversation between people. "Talk to someone" = have a conversation with them. "Let's talk" = let's have a conversation.
We talked for hours about our plans.
Can we talk? I need to tell you something.
They are always talking in class.
Common mistake
Trick to remember it
Quick rule
Is it formal or about language skills? "Speak." Is it an informal conversation between two people? "Talk."
Did you know?
Some English expressions only work with one of the two verbs and do not allow substitution. "Talk the talk, walk the walk" (backing up your words with actions) only works with TALK. "Speak now or forever hold your peace" only works with SPEAK. "Talk is cheap" is TALK. "Money talks" is also TALK. "Actions speak louder than words" is SPEAK. The choice between these verbs in fixed expressions is not interchangeable, if you swap them, the expression stops existing or sounds strange. This shows how deeply idiomatic the speak/talk distinction has become in the language.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Do you _____ any other languages apart from English?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
We _____ ed for hours about our plans for the summer.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Both can translate as 'discutir', but one is neutral and the other implies conflict.
Both mean 'to say', but 'tell' always needs to know who receives the message.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy