вы говорите по-английски?
vy govorite po-angliyski?
In Russian, вы говорите по-английски? (vy govorite po-angliyski?) is the way to say "can you speak English?"
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The adverbial form по-английски literally translates to "in the English manner" or "in English".
Which one should you use?
While вы говорите по-английски? is the standard way to ask the question, you should use ты говоришь по-английски? when speaking to a child or a close friend. For a more friendly tone, you can use Можешь ли ты говорить по-английски?
How does it change in a sentence?
The word говорите is the second-person plural or polite singular conjugation of the verb meaning "to speak".
How do you pronounce it?
vy govorite po-angliyski?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using вы можете говорить по-английски? which is a literal translation of the English "can you…". In Russian, it is much more natural to use the simple present tense говорите to ask about language ability.
Did you know?
- The formal вы used in this phrase was heavily influenced by Byzantine speech patterns as early as the 11th century, long before it became a social standard.
- The word английский is built from a root that refers to the Angles, the Germanic tribe that originally settled in Britain.
Examples in context
- Вы говорите по-английски?Can you speak English?This sentence is useful for asking if someone speaks English.Tatoeba #469864 by OlgaElwen, translation #26170 by CK
- Извините, вы говорите по-английски?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Скажите, пожалуйста, вы говорите по-английски?Skazhite, pozhaluysta, vy govorite po-angliyski?Tell me, please, do you speak English?
Example conversation
A tourist is asking a woman for directions in a city park.
- Сергей SergeyПростите, вы говорите по-английски?Prostite, vy govorite po-angliyski?Forgive me, do you speak English?
- Мария MariaДа, я немного говорю.Da, ya nemnogo govoryu.Yes, I speak a little.
- Сергей SergeyСпасибо, вы очень добры.Spasibo, vy ochen' dobry.Thank you, you are very kind.
- Мария MariaПожалуйста, чем я могу помочь?Pozhaluysta, chem ya mogu pomoch'?You're welcome, how can I help?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries вы, по-английски, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
