你会说英语吗？
nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?
The English phrase "can you speak english?" is translated into Chinese as 你会说英语吗？ (nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 会 specifically refers to an ability acquired through learning, such as a language or a skill. The particle 吗 is added to the end of a declarative sentence to turn it into a yes/no question.
Which one should you use?
While 会 (huì) is used for learned skills like English, 能 (néng) is used for physical ability or situational possibility.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form a yes/no question, the particle 吗 is placed at the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you this question, a common short way to answer 'Yes' is to simply say 会. To answer 'No', you can simply say 不会.
Did you know?
- If you are speaking to someone of higher status or an elder, you might replace 你 (nǐ) with the polite form 您 (nín) to show respect.
- If you use the word 能 instead of 会, you might accidentally ask if someone is physically capable of making English sounds rather than if they have learned the language.
- A common way to sound more polite when asking this is to add the word 请问 at the beginning, which translates to 'may I ask'.
Examples in context
- 你会说英语吗？Can you speak English?
- 会一点儿。Yes, a little bit.
- 请问您会说英语吗？Excuse me, do you speak English?
- 对不起，请问你会说英语吗？Duìbuqǐ, qǐngwèn nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?Excuse me, may I ask if you can speak English?
- 老师，你会说英语吗？Lǎoshī, nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?Teacher, can you speak English?
Example conversation
Haoran is asking Yuting for help at a tourist information center.
- 浩然 Haoran请问，你会说英语吗？Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?Excuse me, can you speak English?
- 雨婷 Yuting我会说一点点。Wǒ huì shuō yī diǎndiǎn.I can speak a little bit.
- 浩然 Haoran太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ.That's great, thank you.
- 雨婷 Yuting不客气。Bú kèqi.You're welcome.
