What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ¿sabes hablar inglés? translates to 'Do you know to speak English?' because the Spanish verb saber is used to express knowing how to do a skill.
Which one should you use?
You might encounter other variations such as ¿Es usted capaz de comunicarse en inglés? (Are you capable of communicating in English?) or ¿Tiene usted conocimientos de inglés? (Do you have knowledge of English?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes depending on who you are addressing. Use the third-person singular form sabe instead of sabes to make the question polite and formal. If you are asking a group of people if they know how to speak English, use the plural form ¿saben hablar inglés?
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsabes aˈblaɾ inˈɡles/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When writing the word for English, remember to include the accent mark on the 'é' in inglés. English speakers often forget this mark.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, asking ¿sabes hablar inglés? can be interpreted as an inquiry into one's educational status or social class rather than just a linguistic question.
- The verb hablar shares a root with the English word 'fable', as both come from the Latin 'fabulari', meaning to speak or chat.
- In Spanish, the verb saber specifically refers to knowing a skill or a fact, while conocer is used for knowing a person or a place. Using conoces instead of sabes in this phrase would be a grammatical error.
Examples in context
- Perdona, ¿sabes hablar inglés?Excuse me, do you know how to speak English?
Example conversation
Elena is asking a tourist for help at a train station.
- ElenaHola, ¿sabes hablar inglés?Hello, do you know how to speak English?
- AlejandroSí, hablo un poco.Yes, I speak a little.
- Elena¿Me puedes ayudar, Alejandro?Can you help me, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, claro que sí.Yes, of course.
