Tra từ say - Từ điển tiếng Anh - Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

▪ I. say UK US [seɪ] verb [ said ], [ said ] [ says saying sayed ]

SPEAK

1. <E > transitive to pronounce words or sounds, to express a thought, opinion, or suggestion, or to state a fact or instruction
• Small children find it difficult to say long words.
• She said goodbye to all her friends and left.
• Ben never forgets to say "Please" and "Thank you".
• How do you say 'goodbye' in French?
• I'm sorry, what did you say?
• Do you know what she said to him?
• What did they say about the house?
• + speech "I'm going out this evening, " she said.
• + (that) The doctors say (that) it will take him a few weeks to recover.
• + question word She didn't say whether she was coming.
• Did she say (= tell you) why she wasn't coming?
• + to infinitive informal He said (= told me) to meet him here.
• I've got something to say to you.
• The offer was so good that I couldn't say no (= couldn't refuse).
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Saying and uttering ↑Saying again

Common errors:
When talking about the truth, lies, jokes, news, stories or secrets, don't use 'say', use tell:
✗ I knew that he was saying the truth.
✗ Dave is always saying jokes and funny stories.
✗ I have some fantastic news to say you.

• He said he was coming.
• I said she should give him a call.
• Did she say why she left so early?
• He said that he'd already tried it.
• What did she say about the cost?

THINK

2. <E > intransitive or transitive to think or believe
• + (that) People/They say (that) he's over 100.
• "It's going to be a very hot summer." "So they say (= That is what people believe)."
• She is a firm leader, too firm, some might say (= some people believe that she is too firm).
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Saying and uttering ↑Saying again
3. <E > intransitive or transitive to give (as) an opinion or suggestion about something
• "Who do you think will get the job?" "I'd rather not say."
• What are you saying, exactly (= What do you mean)?
• + (that) We've been driving all day - I say (that) we start looking for a hotel now.
• informal What do you say we (= What do you think about the idea that we should) sell the car?
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Expressing and asking opinions ↑Remarks and remarking ↑Controlling emotions
4. transitive to show what you think without using words
• + (that) The look on his face said (= showed) (that) he knew what had happened.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Saying and uttering ↑Saying again
5. transitive always passive When something or someone is said to be a particular thing, that is what people think or believe about them
• + (that) It is said (that) Latin is a difficult language to learn.
• + to be + noun or adjective He's said to be over 100.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Saying and uttering ↑Saying again

• I don't know him personally but they say he's very nice.
• They're saying house prices are going to fall.
• Soya is meant to be very good for you, or so they say.
• It is said that babies look like their fathers at birth.
• They say you should eat at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day.

GIVE INFORMATION

6. <E > transitive to give information in writing, numbers or signs
• My watch says 3 o'clock.
• Can you read what that notice says?
• + (that) It says in the paper (that) they've found the man who did it.
• + to infinitive It says on the bottle to take three tablets a day.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Announcing, informing and stating

• The recipe says to use six eggs.
• It said in the paper that over a thousand people had attended.
• It should say on the label how often to take the medicine.
• What did that sign say?
• Let's see what the instructions say.
Idioms: I must say ▪ I wouldn't say no ▪ I'll say! ▪ That's not saying much ▪ What have you got to say for yourself? ▪ Who can say? ▪ You can say that again! ▪ You can't say fairer than that ▪ You don't say! ▪ You said it! ▪ before you can say Jack Robinson ▪ does what it says on the tin ▪ have a lot to say for yourself ▪ have nothing to say for yourself ▪ having said that ▪ it goes without saying ▪ it says a lot for somebody ▪ not say boo ▪ not to say ▪ say goodbye to something ▪ say no more ▪ say nothing of... ▪ say the least ▪ say the word ▪ say this much for somebody ▪ say uncle ▪ say when ▪ say your piece ▪ says something about somebody ▪ that is to say... ▪ there's little to be said for something ▪ there's something to be said for ▪ what somebody says, goes ▪ when all is said and done

exclamation
used to express surprise or pleasure, or to attract attention to what you are about to say
• US Say, that's really good of you!
• US Say, how about going out tonight?
• UK old-fashioned or humorous I say, what a splendid hat you're wearing!
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Interjections ↑Sounds used as interjections

noun only singular or uncountable
(the right to give) an opinion about something
• Can't you keep quiet for a minute and let me have my say.
• The judge usually has the final say.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Expressing and asking opinions ↑Remarks and remarking ↑Controlling emotions
Idiom: have a say in something

▪ II. (let's) say idiom
used to introduce a suggestion or possible example of something
• Try and finish the work by, let's say, Friday.
• Say/Let's say (= If we accept) (that) the journey takes three hours, you'll arrive at 2 o'clock.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Saying and uttering ↑Saying again
Main entry: say_idiom