speak up (to make a request); bring up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to open one's mouth (to speak, especially to make a request); to bring up (a difficult topic)
formalTypically used in negative contexts or with modal verbs expressing difficulty, implying that speaking up requires courage or overcomes embarrassment. Often appears in set phrases like 难以启齿.
Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
ràng让
wǒ我
nán难
yǐ以
qǐ启
chǐ齿
。
This matter is too embarrassing for me to bring up.
Tā他
suī虽
rán然
jí急
xū需
yòng用
qián钱
，
dàn但
bù不
hǎo好
yì意
si思
xiàng向
péng朋
you友
qǐ启
chǐ齿
。
Although he urgently needed money, he was too embarrassed to ask his friends.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
yāo要
qiú求
shí实
zài在
bù不
biàn便
qǐ启
chǐ齿
。
This kind of request is really too inconvenient to mention.
Yǒu有
shén什
me么
kùn困
nan难
jǐn尽
guǎn管
qǐ启
chǐ齿
，
bié别
kè客
qi气
。
If you have any difficulties, just speak up—don't stand on ceremony.