What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pouvons (can/are able), nous (we), parler (to speak) and anglais (English).
Which one should you use?
You can also use Est-ce qu'on peut parler anglais? which starts the sentence with Est-ce que to form a standard question that is less formal than inversion but more structured than simple intonation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal situations, you might use Serait-il possible de parler anglais? (Would it be possible to speak English?) or Pourrions-nous continuer en anglais? (Could we continue in English?). In everyday spoken French, it is more common to use informal versions like Est-ce qu'on peut parler anglais? or on peut parler anglais.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form pouvons-nous uses inversion, where the verb and the subject pronoun are swapped to indicate a question.
Did you know?
- In France, starting a conversation in English without first asking parlez-vous anglais? or pouvons-nous parler anglais? can be perceived as impolite.
- While anglais means 'English', it is used as an adjective for the language and a noun for the people, but it is never capitalized when referring to the language.
- The verb parler shares a surprising ancestral link with the English word 'parable', as both trace back to the Greek word for 'comparison'.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, pourrions-nous continuer en anglais?Excuse me, could we continue in English?
- Est-ce qu'on peut parler anglais?Can we speak English?
- Pouvons-nous parler anglais plus tard ?Can we speak English later?
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma meet at a professional conference.
- LucasBonjour ! Pouvons-nous parler anglais ?Hello! Can we speak English?
- EmmaOui, bien sûr, je parle anglais.Yes, of course, I speak English.
- LucasSuper, je m'appelle Lucas.Great, my name is Lucas.
- EmmaEnchantée, Lucas. Je suis Emma.Nice to meet you, Lucas. I am Emma.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anglais, parler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
