Tra từ say - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

say [say says said saying] verb, noun, exclamation BrE [seɪ] NAmE [seɪ]
verb (saysBrE [sez] ; NAmE [sez] said, saidBrE [sed] ; NAmE [sed] )

SPEAK
1. intransitive, transitive to speak or tell sb sth, using words
•+ speech ‘Hello!’ she said.
• ‘That was marvellous,’ said Daniel. In stories the subject often comes after said, says or say when it follows the actual words spoken, unless it is a pronoun.
•~ sth Be quiet, I have something to say.
•I didn't believe a word she said.
•That's a terrible thing to say.
•He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it (= be angry).
•~ sth to sb She said nothing to me about it.
•~ to sb/yourself + speech I said to myself (= thought), ‘That can't be right!’
•~ (that)… He said (that) his name was Sam.
•it is said that… It is said that she lived to be over 100.
•~ (what, how, etc…) She finds it hard to say what she feels.
•‘That's impossible!’ ‘ So you say (= but I think you may be wrong).’
•‘Why can't I go out now?’ ‘Because I say so.’
•‘What do you want it for?’ ‘ I'd rather not say.’
•~ to do sth He said to meet him here.
•sb/sth is said to be/have sth He is said to have been a brilliant scholar.

REPEAT WORDS
2. transitive ~ sth to repeat words, phrases, etc
•to say a prayer
• Try to say that line with more conviction.

EXPRESS OPINION
3. transitive, intransitive to express an opinion on sth
•~ sth Say what you like (= although you disagree) about her, she's a fine singer.
•I'll say this for them, they're a very efficient company.
•Anna thinks I'm lazy— what do you say (= what is your opinion)?
•~ (that)… I can't say I blame her for resigning (= I think she was right).
•I say (= suggest) we go without them.
•I wouldn't say they were rich (= in my opinion they are not rich).
•That's not to say it's a bad movie (= it is good but it is not without faults).
•~ (what, how, etc…) It's hard to say what caused the accident.
•‘When will it be finished?’ ‘ I couldn't say (= I don't know).’

GIVE EXAMPLE
4. transitive, no passive to suggest or give sth as an example or a possibility
•~ sth/sb You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months.
•Let's take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens…
•~ (that)… Say you lose your job: what would you do then?

SHOW THOUGHTS/FEELINGS
5. transitive ~ sth (to sb) to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to sb by using words, looks, movements, etc
• His angry glance said it all.
• That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true)
•Just what is the artist trying to say in her work?

GIVE WRITTEN INFORMATION
6. transitive, no passive (of sth that is written or can be seen)to give particular information or instructions
•+ speech The notice said ‘Keep Out’.
•~ sth The clock said three o'clock.
•~ (that)… The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours.
•~ where, why, etc… The book doesn't say where he was born.
•~ to do sth The guidebook says to turn left.
more at I dare say at ↑dare _v., easier said than done at ↑easy _adj., enough said at ↑enough _pron., I'm glad to say at ↑glad, let us say at ↑let _v., mean to say at ↑mean _v., if you don't mind me/my saying so at ↑mind _v., needless to say at ↑needless, to be/go on (the) record (as saying…) at ↑record _n., no sooner said than done at ↑soon, I'm sorry to say at ↑sorry _adj., suffice (it) to say at ↑suffice, not have a good word to say for sb/sthsay/give the word at ↑word _n.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.

Thesaurus:
say verb
1. T
•I didn't believe a word she said.
speak • • talk •
say/speak/talk to sb
say sth/speak/talk about sth
2. T
•I said a quiet prayer to myself.
repeat • • recite • • quote •
say/repeat/recite/quote a line
3. T, I
•It's hard to say why he left.
express • • voice • • air • • put • • phrase • • state • |especially journalism indicate •
express/voice/air your thoughts/opinions/views/concerns
Say or express? Express is often followed by a noun describing a feeling or emotion; say cannot be used in this way
•to express your dissatisfaction/fear/horror/gratitude
• to say that you are dissatisfied/afraid/horrified/grateful
4. T, I (used especially in negative sentences and questions) (especially spoken)
•It's difficult to say when it will be finished.
predict • • forecast • • foresee • • prophesy • |especially business project •
say/predict/forecast/foresee/prophesy what/how/when/who/where/whether…
be difficult/impossible to say/predict/forecast/foresee/project
say/forecast/predict sth in advance
5. T, no passive (especially spoken)
•Say you lose your job. What then?
suppose • • imagine •
say/suppose/imagine that…
let's just/let us say/suppose/imagine that…

Which Word?:
say / tell
Say never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words: ▪ ‘Sit down’, she said. ◇ ▪ Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’ ◇ ▪ Anne said (that) she was tired. ◇ ▪ What did he say to you? You cannot use ‘say about’, but say something about is correct: ▪ I want to say something /a few words /a little about my family. Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned: ▪ She didn’t say what she intended to do.
Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects: ▪ Have you told him the news yet? It is often used with ‘that’ clauses: ▪ Anne told me (that) she was tired. Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what, where, etc: ▪ Can you tell me when the movie starts? (BUT: ▪ Can you give me some information about the school?) Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions: ▪ The doctor told me to stay in bed. ◇ ▪ The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed. OR ▪ The doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed. NOT The doctor said me to stay in bed.

Example Bank:
•‘I am home, ’ he said simply.
•‘I don't know,’ she said crossly.
•‘There's nothing wrong with him, ’ she said airily.
•‘Well, at least we tried!’ he said with a shrug.
•‘You'll see!’ Lianne said with a smile.
•A government spokesman was quoted as saying that they would take steps to restore order.
•Can you honestly say you're sorry?
•Do you have anything to say about this?
•I dare say they she'll come to the wedding.
•I dared not say a word about it to anyone.
•I hate to say it, but I think Stephen may be right.
•I have to say I didn't expect it to be so good.
•I heard him say they were leaving tomorrow.
•I want to say how much we have all enjoyed this evening.
•I've forgotten what I was going to say.
•It is fair to say a considerable amount of effort went into the project.
•Needless to say, it all went smoothly in the end.
•She wasn't at her best, it has to be said.
•Suffice it to say, I refused to get involved.
•That was a very cruel thing to say.
•That's not what he said to me.
•The minister was quoted as saying that the government would do whatever was necessary to restore order.
•‘When will it be finished?’ ‘ I couldn't say.’
•‘Why can't I go out now?’ ‘Because I say so.’
•Anna thinks I'm lazy— what do you say?
•He said a quiet prayer to himself.
•I can't say I blame her for resigning.
•I didn't believe a word she said.
•I wouldn't like to say what the impact might be on my business.
•I wouldn't say they were rich
•I'll say this for them, they're a very efficient company.
•It's difficult to say exactly where it will land.
•It's hard to say what caused the accident.
•Just say he refuses to talk to you.
•Say what you like about her, she's a fine singer.
•Say you lose your job. What then?
•Take any writer, say Dickens…
•Who can say what will happen between now and then?
•You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months.
Idioms: ↑I must say ▪ ↑I say ▪ ↑I wouldn't say no ▪ ↑I'll say! ▪ ↑before you can say Jack Robinson ▪ ↑go without saying ▪ have something/nothing to say for yourself ▪ ↑have your say ▪ ↑having said that ▪ it says a lot/very little for somebody ▪ ↑least said soonest mended ▪ ↑less said the better ▪ ↑never say die ▪ ↑not say boo to a goose ▪ ↑not to say ▪ ↑say cheese ▪ ↑say no ▪ ↑say no more ▪ ↑say nothing of something ▪ ↑say the least ▪ ↑say what? ▪ ↑say when ▪ ↑say your piece ▪ ↑that is to say ▪ ↑that said ▪ ↑that's not saying much ▪ ↑there's no saying ▪ there's something/not much to be said for something sth ▪ ↑well said! ▪ ↑what do you say ▪ ↑what somebody says, goes ▪ ↑whatever you say ▪ ↑when all is said and done ▪ ↑who can say? ▪ ↑who says? ▪ ↑who's to say? ▪ ↑you can say that again ▪ ↑you can't say fairer ▪ ↑you don't say! ▪ ↑you said it!

noun singular, uncountable ~ (in sth)
the right to influence sth by giving your opinion before a decision is made
•We had no say in the decision to sell the company.
•People want a greater say in local government.
•The judge has the final say on the sentence.
see also ↑say your piece

Word Origin:
Old English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.

Example Bank:
•She won't be happy until she's had her say.

exclamation (NAmE, informal)
1. used for showing surprise or pleasure
•Say, that's a nice haircut!
2. used for attracting sb's attention or for making a suggestion or comment
•Say, how about going to a movie tonight?

Word Origin:
Old English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.

See also: ↑not say boo to anyone