So to speak Meaning in English
expression
ˈsoʊ/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈspik
SOH-tuh-SPEEK
sˈəʊ/ /tˈuː/ /spˈiːk
SUH-oh-too-SPEEK
Definition
Used to indicate that the words just said are not to be taken literally, but rather figuratively or as an expression.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in both formal and informal English, typically after a figurative or unusual statement. It softens claims and signals a non-literal meaning. Place it at the end or middle of a sentence: 'He was, so to speak, a fish out of water.' Alternatives: 'as it were', 'in a manner of speaking'.
Spanish: por así decirloPortuguese (BR): por assim dizerPortuguese (PT): por assim dizerChinese (Simplified): 可以这么说 - 可谓Chinese (Traditional): 可以這麼說 - 可謂Hindi: यूँ कहें तो - कहने का तरीकाArabic: إذا صح التعبير - إن جاز التعبيرBengali: এভাবে বললে - কথার কথাRussian: так сказать - если можно так выразитьсяJapanese: いわば - いわゆるVietnamese: có thể nói - như người ta nóiKorean: 말하자면 - 소위Turkish: tabiri caizse - deyim yerindeyseUrdu: یوں کہیے - اگر ایسا کہا جائےIndonesian: bisa dibilang - istilahnya
Example Sentences
He is the brains of the team, so to speak.
basic
Our holiday was a dream come true, so to speak.
basic
He's living in his own world, so to speak.
basic
We had to start from scratch, so to speak, after the flood.
natural
He wears many hats, so to speak, at his company.
natural
The deal fell apart overnight, so to speak.
natural