Meaning trap
speak up
talk louder
to talk in a louder voice so people can hear you clearly.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to talk in a louder voice so people can hear you clearly.
Another meaning of 'speak up' is 'express an opinion openly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Could you please speak up? I can't hear you at the back.
During my presentation, my teacher asked me to speak up so everyone could understand me.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Can you speak up your voice?
Say: Can you speak up?
'Speak up' already means talk louder — don't add 'your voice'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Speak up' is the everyday request to talk louder; 'increase your volume' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
speak up + context
- a bit
- please
- so we can hear
- at the back
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- speak up (express an opinion openly) — Another meaning of 'speak up' is 'express an opinion openly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.