Parlez-vous anglais ?
“Do you speak English?” in French is translated as Parlez-vous anglais ?
This phrase is used to ask if a person has the ability to communicate in the English language.
Which one should you use?
Parlez-vous anglais ? is a formal version. Vous parlez anglais ? is a way to ask if someone speaks English using the vous form. Êtes-vous anglophone ? is a formal way to ask if someone is an English speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can form the question Est-ce que vous parlez anglais ? by placing Est-ce que at the beginning of the sentence.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In French, the name of the language anglais is not capitalized unless it is at the start of a sentence.
Did you know?
- In France, starting a conversation in English without first asking Parlez-vous anglais ? in French is often viewed as impolite.
- If you ask Parlez-vous anglais ? and receive the answer Un petit peu, it is a common cultural modesty that might mean they actually speak much more than they are claiming.
- While anglais refers to the language, the word Anglais with a capital 'A' refers to a person from England, a distinction not found in English.
Examples in context
- Oui, je parle anglais.Yes, I speak English.
- Non, je ne parle pas anglais.No, I don't speak English.
- Excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais ?Excuse me, do you speak English?
Example conversation
Lucas is lost in a city and asks a passerby for help.
- LucasBonjour, parlez-vous anglais ?Hello, do you speak English?
- ManonOui, je parle anglais. Je peux vous aider ?Yes, I speak English. Can I help you?
- LucasOui, je cherche la gare, s'il vous plaît.Yes, I am looking for the station, please.
- ManonC'est juste là, tournez à droite.It is right there, turn right.
