What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "English (subject) understand (polite question)?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 英語が分かりますか is a polite way to ask the question, making it suitable for strangers or people you do not know well. For a more casual way to ask if someone can speak English, you can use 英語を話せる？ Another casual version used with friends or people of lower social status is 英語わかる？
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 英語が分かりますか, the particle が is used to mark English as the object of understanding or ability. While the particle を is typically used to mark the direct object of a sentence, it appears in the informal variation 英語を話せる？
How do you pronounce it?
eigo ga wakarimasu ka
When do people say it?
When asked this question, a standard positive response is はい、分かります (Yes, I understand) and a standard negative response is いいえ、分かりません (No, I don't understand).
Did you know?
- Asking 英語が分かりますか may lead some Japanese speakers to respond 少し ('a little') even if they are fluent, as a cultural gesture of modesty.
- In many Japanese contexts, asking 英語が分かりますか can sound slightly blunt or interrogative, so it is often more polite to phrase it as a request for help, such as asking if they can 'help you' with English.
- While English speakers use the verb 'to know' to ask about language ability, Japanese uses 分かる, which focuses on the ability to comprehend or grasp the meaning.
Examples in context
- すまん、英語を話せる？Sorry, can you speak English?
- 英語が分かりますか？Eigo ga wakarimasu ka?Do you know English?
- すみません、英語が分かりますか？Sumimasen, eigo ga wakarimasu ka?Excuse me, do you know English?
- あの、英語が分かりますか？Ano, eigo ga wakarimasu ka?Um, do you know English?
Example conversation
Kenta asks Yui if she can understand English at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、英語が分かりますか？Yui-san, eigo ga wakarimasu ka?Yui, do you know English?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、少し分かります。Hai, sukoshi wakarimasu.Yes, I understand a little.
- 健太 Kenta良かったです。Yokatta desu.That's good.
- 結衣 Yui何かお手伝いしましょうか？Nanika otetsudai shimashou ka?Shall I help you with something?
