Chinese phrases
How to say do you speak English in Chinese
Do you speak English in Chinese is 你会说英语吗 (nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma). 会 asks about a skill you have learned, so keep it in the question.
你会说英语吗
do you speak English?
Ways to say do you speak English
你会说英语吗
Everydaydo you speak English?
The standard question. Fine with shop staff, waiters and people your age.
你会说英文吗
Everydaydo you speak English?
The same question. Many people say 英文 for English in everyday speech.
您会说英语吗
Formaldo you speak English? (polite)
To an older person, a doctor or an official.
有会说英语的人吗
Everydayis there anyone who speaks English?
In a shop, a hotel or a hospital, when the first person you ask doesn’t.
可以说英语吗
On the phonecan I speak English?
To ask if English is OK, for example when you call a hotel.
Answers you may hear
会一点
a little
The most common answer. Keep your English simple and slow.
不太会
not really
Many people learned English at school but rarely speak it.
不会
no, I don’t
A clear no. Try writing the word down or showing a picture.
If nobody speaks English
有英文菜单吗
do you have an English menu?
In restaurants. Many places in big cities have one.
可以写下来吗
could you write it down?
For addresses, names and prices.
我用手机翻译一下
let me translate it on my phone
Then show the screen. People often type their answer into your phone too.
Common mistakes
Answering with 是
The answer to a 会…吗 question repeats the verb: 会 or 不会. 是 is not an answer here.
Saying 英国 for English
英国 is the UK. The language is 英语 or 英文, in the same way that 中国 is China and 中文 is Chinese.
Dropping 会
你说英语吗 is not wrong, but it sounds like you ask whether they use English, not whether they can. To ask about the skill, say 你会说英语吗.
At a pharmacy
你好，你会说英语吗？
Leon: Hello, do you speak English?
不好意思，不太会。
Pharmacist: Sorry, not really.
没关系。有会说英语的人吗？
Leon: That’s OK. Is there anyone who speaks English?
稍等，我去叫同事。
Pharmacist: One moment, I’ll get my colleague.
