spoken
word · lemma: speak
/ˈspoʊkən/
SPOH-kuhn
/spˈəʊkən/
SPOH-kuhn
Definition
Used to describe language that is said aloud rather than written. It can also be the past participle of 'speak'.
Usage & Nuances
Common in phrases like 'spoken English', 'spoken language', and 'softly spoken'. As an adjective, it often contrasts with 'written'. As part of a verb form, it appears with 'have/has/had', as in 'I have spoken'. Don't confuse it with 'oral'—'oral' is more formal.
Spanish: hablado - oralPortuguese (BR): falado - oralPortuguese (PT): falado - oralChinese (Simplified): 口语的 - 说出的Chinese (Traditional): 口語的 - 說出的Hindi: बोला हुआ - मौखिकArabic: منطوق - شفهيBengali: কথিত - মুখে বলাRussian: разговорный - устный - сказанныйJapanese: 話される - 話された - 口頭のVietnamese: nói - đã nói - bằng lời nóiKorean: 말로 하는 - 구어의 - 말해진Turkish: konuşulan - sözlüUrdu: بولی جانے والی - زبانیIndonesian: lisan - diucapkan - lisan (bukan tulisan)
Example Sentences
This course focuses on spoken English, not writing.
basic
Spanish is spoken in many countries.
basic
I have spoken to my teacher about the test.
basic
He's very soft-spoken, but everyone listens when he talks.
natural
We need more real-life spoken examples in the lesson.
natural
I've spoken with her a few times, and she seems great.
natural