Mluvíte anglicky?
The English phrase "do you speak english?" is translated into Czech as Mluvíte anglicky?
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 phrase is composed of the verb mluvit (to speak) in the second-person plural/formal form and the adverb anglicky (English-ly/in English).
Which one should you use?
In this phrase, anglicky is an adverb meaning "in English" rather than the noun angličtina (the English language).
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form Mluvíte anglicky? uses the second-person plural/formal verb form, which is the standard way to address strangers or elders. The informal version uses the second-person singular verb form mluvíš instead of the formal mluvíte.
Did you know?
- While Mluvíte anglicky? is correct, many Czechs will respond to the question by switching immediately to English without saying 'yes' first.
- If you accidentally use the informal mluvíš with a stranger or an older person, you may come across as unintentionally rude or overly familiar.
- While English uses a helping verb 'do' to form the question, Czech relies entirely on word order and intonation to signal that it is a question.
Examples in context
- Dobrý den, mluvíte anglicky?Hello, do you speak English?
- Ano, mluvím anglicky.Yes, I speak English.
- Ahoj, mluvíš anglicky?Hi, do you speak English?
- Jo, mluvím anglicky.Yeah, I speak English.
- Ne, nemluvím anglickyNo, I don't speak English
- Promiňte, mluvíte anglicky?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Nerozumím, mluvíte anglicky?I don't understand, do you speak English?
Example conversation
Jakub is asking for help at a tourist information center.
- JakubDobrý den, mluvíte anglicky?Good day, do you speak English?
- TerezaAno, mluvím.Yes, I do.
- JakubSkvělé, kde je muzeum?Great, where is the museum?
- TerezaJe to hned za rohem.It is right around the corner.
