λαλέω (G2980) — Greek Lexicon

λαλέω

laléō

G2980 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak, to say, to express oneself orally; to articulate words or sounds. The primary sense is the act of speaking, often emphasizing the process or manner of speaking, sometimes with a focus on the act of communicating verbally rather than the content itself. Additional senses include to converse, to talk, to utter, or in some contexts to proclaim or announce aloud.

Semantic Range

to speak, to talk, to utter, to express oneself orally, to converse, to make sounds (as in babbling), to proclaim, to announce aloud

Root / Etymology

From the root λαλ-; related to the act of vocalization or speech. Traditionally considered an onomatopoeic formation, mimicking the sound of chatter or repeated syllables—akin to babbling or speaking. Distinguished from λέγω, which often focuses on the content, thought, or reasoned communication.

Historical & Contextual Notes

λάλέω appears in classical Greek and persists through Koine with the basic sense 'to speak,' but often with a nuance distinct from λέγω. In classical usage, it could carry connotations of babble, prattle, or simply the noise of speech (especially in contrast to articulate, reasoned discourse). By the time of the New Testament and LXX, λαλέω is the primary verb for general oral expression, while λέγω retains nuance for expressing particular statements, narratives, or declarations. In the New Testament, λαλέω is used for a range of speaking activities: everyday speech, proclamations, Spirit-inspired utterance, or even the speaking of inanimate objects (e.g., voices from heaven). English translations such as 'say,' 'speak,' 'talk,' 'utter,' and occasionally 'preach' capture aspects of the lexical range, but can obscure the original nuance, especially where the distinction from λέγω is meaningful. Unlike in English, the Greek does not always imply content-heavy or logical discourse with λαλέω; rather, it covers the broad act of speaking or making vocal sounds. Notably, as an onomatopoeic root, it is also the underlying stem in λάλος ('talkative'), λαλιά ('speech'), and related words. Septuagint usage often parallels the Greek, but sometimes calques Hebrew דָּבַר (dabar, 'to speak'). The distinction between λαλέω and λέγω shrinks in later Koine, and by post-NT literature the terms are sometimes interchangeable.

Translation Consistency

primary "speak" 50 occurrences

‘Speak’ is the natural, general English verb that best fits the primary SILEX sense (to express oneself orally, utter, converse, proclaim). It is the most flexible and idiomatic choice for all forms (speak, speaks, spoke, spoken) and matches the majority of attested renderings while remaining simple and consistent across contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.

Root Family

λαλ- (eklaléō) — to speak, to talk

Root λαλ- to speak, to utter sounds, to talk

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1583	ἐκλαλέω	to speak out openly
G215	ἀλάλητος	to unspeakable ones
G216	ἄλαλος	mute
G2635	καταλαλέω	slanders
G2636	καταλαλία	malicious slanders
G2981	λαλιά	spoken speech
G412	ἀνεκλάλητος	to an inexpressible
G4354	προσλαλέω	to address
G4814	συλλαλέω	he conversed

Word Forms

55 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2980-06`	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke	31
`G2980-18`	λαλῆσαι	lalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to speak	to speak	to speak	22
`G2980-11`	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks	is speaking	is speaking	21
`G2980-12`	λαλεῖν	lalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to speak	to be speaking	to be speaking	21
`G2980-01`	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he was speaking	he was speaking	he was speaking	20
`G2980-34`	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I speak	I am speaking	I am speaking	20
`G2980-47`	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking	18
`G2980-35`	λαλῶν	lalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	speaking	the one speaking	the one speaking	16
`G2980-04`	ἐλάλησαν	elalesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	spoke	they spoke	they spoke	11
`G2980-52`	λελάληκα	lelaleka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	I have spoken	I have spoken	I have spoken	11
`G2980-37`	λαλοῦμεν	laloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we speak	we are speaking	we are speaking	10
`G2980-02`	ἐλάλησα	elalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I spoke	I spoke	I spoke	8
`G2980-44`	λαλοῦντες	lalountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	speaking	speaking ones	speaking ones	7
`G2980-09`	ἐλάλουν	elaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	I spoke	they were speaking	they were speaking	6
`G2980-24`	λαλήσω	laleso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	I will speak	I might speak	I will speak	5
`G2980-46`	λαλούντων	lalounton	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	speaking	of those speaking	of those speaking	5
`G2980-13`	λαλεῖς	laleis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	do you speak	you are speaking	you are speaking	4
`G2980-15`	λαλεῖτε	laleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	speak	keep speaking	keep speaking	4
`G2980-22`	λαλήσει	lalesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	will speak	will speak	he will speak	4
`G2980-32`	λαληθήσεται	lalethesetai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P SG`	will be spoken	it will be spoken aloud	it will be spoken aloud	4
`G2980-23`	λαλήσητε	lalesete	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you are to speak	you (pl.) may speak	you may speak	3
`G2980-39`	λαλουμένοις	laloumenois	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT N PL`	being spoken	to the things being spoken	being spoken	3
`G2980-07`	ἐλαλήθη	elalethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was said	was spoken	it was spoken	2
`G2980-19`	λαλήσαντες	lalesantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having spoken	having spoken	having spoken	2
`G2980-20`	λαλήσας	lalesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	having spoken	having spoken	having spoken	2
`G2980-21`	λαλήσῃ	lalese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he may say	he may speak	he may speak	2
`G2980-26`	λαλήσουσιν	lalesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	men shall speak	they will speak	they will speak	2
`G2980-29`	λαληθῆναι	lalethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	to be spoken	to be spoken aloud	to be spoken	2
`G2980-40`	λαλούμενον	laloumenon	`V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG`	is spoken	being spoken	being spoken	2
`G2980-41`	λαλοῦν	laloun	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM N SG`	speaking	speaking	speaking	2
`G2980-45`	λαλοῦντι	lalounti	`V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG`	one speaking	to one speaking	speaking	2
`G2980-51`	λαλοῦσιν	lalousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	speak	they are speaking	they are speaking	2
`G2980-53`	λελάληκεν	lelaleken	`V PRF ACT IND 3P SG`	has spoken	has spoken	has spoken	2
`G2980-03`	ἐλαλήσαμεν	elalesamen	`V AOR ACT IND 1P PL`	we spoke	we spoke	we spoke	1
`G2980-05`	ἐλαλήσατε	elalesate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have spoken	you spoke	you spoke	1
`G2980-08`	ἐλαλοῦμεν	elaloumen	`V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL`	we were speaking	we were speaking	we were speaking	1
`G2980-10`	λαλῇ	lale	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he speaks	he may speak	he speaks	1
`G2980-14`	λαλεῖσθαι	laleisthai	`V PRS PASS INF`	spoken	to be spoken	to be spoken	1
`G2980-16`	λαλείτω	laleito	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG`	let him speak	let him be speaking	let him speak	1
`G2980-17`	λαλείτωσαν	laleitosan	`V PRS ACT IMP 3P PL`	speak	let them speak	let them speak	1
`G2980-25`	λαλήσομεν	lalesomen	`V FUT ACT IND 1P PL`	we will speak	we will speak	we will speak	1
`G2980-27`	λαληθεὶς	laletheis	`V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG`	spoken	having been spoken	having been spoken	1
`G2980-28`	λαληθείσης	laletheises	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN F SG`	having been spoken	of having been spoken	of having been spoken	1
`G2980-30`	λαληθέντων	lalethenton	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	things	of things spoken	of things spoken	1
`G2980-31`	λαληθέντος	lalethentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN N SG`	had been told	of having been spoken	had been spoken	1
`G2980-33`	λαληθησομένων	lalethesomenon	`V FUT PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	things that would be spoken	of the things that will be spoken	things that will be spoken	1
`G2980-36`	λαλῶσιν	lalosin	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	speak	they may speak	they may speak	1
`G2980-38`	λαλουμένη	laloumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	spoken	being spoken	being spoken	1
`G2980-42`	λαλοῦντα	lalounta	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M SG`	one speaking	speaking one	one speaking	1
`G2980-43`	λαλοῦντας	lalountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	speaking	speaking ones	speaking	1
`G2980-48`	λαλοῦσαι	lalousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	speaking	speaking (feminine plural)	speaking	1
`G2980-49`	λαλοῦσαν	lalousan	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC F SG`	speaking	speaking	speaking	1
`G2980-50`	λαλούσης	lalouses	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN F SG`	speaking	of her speaking	speaking	1
`G2980-54`	λελαλημένοις	lelalemenois	`V PRF PASS PTCP DAT N PL`	spoken	to the things having been spoken	having been spoken	1
`G2980-55`	λελάληταί	lelaletai	`V PRF PASS IND 3P SG`	it has been told	it has been spoken	it has been spoken	1

Occurrences in Scripture

298 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2980-54`	Luke 1:45	λελαλημένοις	lelalemenois	`V PRF PASS PTCP DAT N PL`	spoken	to the things having been spoken	having been spoken
`G2980-06`	Luke 1:55	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-01`	Luke 1:64	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he was speaking	he was speaking	he was speaking
`G2980-06`	Luke 1:70	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-09`	Luke 2:15	ἐλάλουν	elaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	said	they were speaking	they were speaking
`G2980-31`	Luke 2:17	λαληθέντος	lalethentos	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN N SG`	had been told	of having been spoken	had been spoken
`G2980-30`	Luke 2:18	λαληθέντων	lalethenton	`V AOR PASS PTCP GEN N PL`	things	of things spoken	of things spoken
`G2980-07`	Luke 2:20	ἐλαλήθη	elalethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	it was told	was spoken	it was spoken
`G2980-39`	Luke 2:33	λαλουμένοις	laloumenois	`V PRS PASS PTCP DAT N PL`	which were spoken	to the things being spoken	being spoken
`G2980-01`	Luke 2:38	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	she continued to speak	he was speaking	she was speaking
`G2980-06`	Luke 2:50	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	He had spoken	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-12`	Luke 4:41	λαλεῖν	lalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to speak	to be speaking	to be speaking
`G2980-35`	Luke 5:4	λαλῶν	lalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	speaking	the one speaking	the one speaking
`G2980-11`	Luke 5:21	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks	is speaking	is speaking
`G2980-11`	Luke 6:45	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks	is speaking	is speaking
`G2980-12`	Luke 7:15	λαλεῖν	lalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to speak	to be speaking	to be speaking
`G2980-47`	Luke 8:49	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	was speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking
`G2980-01`	Luke 9:11	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he was speaking	he was speaking	he was speaking
`G2980-06`	Luke 11:14	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-18`	Luke 11:37	λαλῆσαι	lalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	speaking	to speak	to speak
`G2980-05`	Luke 12:3	ἐλαλήσατε	elalesate	`V AOR ACT IND 2P PL`	you have spoken	you spoke	you spoke
`G2980-47`	Luke 22:47	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	was speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking
`G2980-47`	Luke 22:60	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking
`G2980-06`	Luke 24:6	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	he spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-04`	Luke 24:25	ἐλάλησαν	elalesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	have spoken	they spoke	they spoke
`G2980-01`	Luke 24:32	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he was speaking	he was speaking	he was speaking
`G2980-46`	Luke 24:36	λαλούντων	lalounton	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL`	speaking	of those speaking	of those speaking
`G2980-02`	Luke 24:44	ἐλάλησα	elalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I spoke	I spoke	I spoke
`G2980-47`	John 1:37	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking
`G2980-37`	John 3:11	λαλοῦμεν	laloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we speak	we are speaking	we are speaking
`G2980-11`	John 3:31	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks	is speaking	is speaking
`G2980-11`	John 3:34	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	speaks	is speaking	is speaking
`G2980-35`	John 4:26	λαλῶν	lalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	speaking	the one speaking	the one speaking
`G2980-01`	John 4:27	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	he talked	he was speaking	he was speaking
`G2980-13`	John 4:27	λαλεῖς	laleis	`V PRS ACT IND 2P SG`	talkest thou	you are speaking	you are speaking
`G2980-52`	John 6:63	λελάληκα	lelaleka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	have spoken	I have spoken	I have spoken
`G2980-01`	John 7:13	ἐλάλει	elalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	was speaking	he was speaking	he was speaking
`G2980-34`	John 7:17	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	speak	I am speaking	I am speaking
`G2980-35`	John 7:18	λαλῶν	lalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	speaking	the one speaking	the one speaking
`G2980-11`	John 7:26	λαλεῖ	lalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	He speaks	is speaking	is speaking
`G2980-06`	John 7:46	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke	he/she/it spoke	spoke
`G2980-06`	John 8:12	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	spoke	he/she/it spoke	spoke
`G2980-06`	John 8:20	ἐλάλησεν	elalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	He spoke	he/she/it spoke	he/she/it spoke
`G2980-34`	John 8:25	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I am speaking	I am speaking	I am speaking
`G2980-12`	John 8:26	λαλεῖν	lalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to say	to be speaking	to be speaking
`G2980-34`	John 8:26	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I speak	I am speaking	I am speaking
`G2980-34`	John 8:28	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I speak	I am speaking	I am speaking
`G2980-47`	John 8:30	λαλοῦντος	lalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	speaking	of the one speaking	of the one speaking
`G2980-34`	John 8:38	λαλῶ	lalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	speak	I am speaking	I am speaking
`G2980-52`	John 8:40	λελάληκα	lelaleka	`V PRF ACT IND 1P SG`	has told	I have spoken	I have spoken

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