讲话 (jiǎng huà) is a verb meaning 'to speak'—especially in formal, public, or official contexts. It combines 讲 (jiǎng), meaning 'to explain, to deliver', and 话 (huà), meaning 'speech' or 'words'. Together, they literally mean 'to deliver words', emphasizing intentional, structured verbal communication rather than casual conversation. It’s commonly used for speeches, lectures, announcements, or remarks made by leaders, teachers, or hosts.

This word carries a tone of authority or formality: you wouldn’t use it for chatting with friends (that’s 聊天 or 说话), but rather for addressing an audience—e.g., at a conference, graduation ceremony, or company meeting. It can also function as a noun meaning 'a speech' (e.g., 他的讲话很精彩 — 'His speech was excellent'). While not strictly limited to written contexts, 讲话 rarely appears in informal digital communication like texting or social media posts.