ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობთ?
inglisurad lap'arak'obt?
To say "do you speak english?" in Georgian, use ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობთ? (inglisurad lap'arak'obt?)
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 word ინგლისურად (inglisurad) means "in English". It is composed of ინგლისური (English) and the adverbial suffix -ად (-ad), which means "in English".
Which one should you use?
The default form ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობთ? is the polite or plural version. You can also use the informal version ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The distinction between the two forms relies on the verb: the polite/plural form uses ლაპარაკობთ? (lap'arak'obt?), while the informal second-person singular uses ლაპარაკობ? (lap'arak'ob?).
How do you pronounce it?
inglisurad lap'arak'obt?
Did you know?
- In Georgian culture, using the informal version ლაპარაკობ? (lap'arak'ob?) with a stranger is not merely casual, it is considered a significant social blunder.
- Because Georgian uses its own unique script, even if you recognize the phonetic sound of 'English', you will not be able to identify the word on street signs or menus without learning the alphabet.
- If you want to ask if someone 'knows' the English language rather than 'speaking' it, you cannot simply swap the verb, as Georgian uses a completely different root for the concept of 'knowing' a language.
Examples in context
- ბოდიში, ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობთ?bodishi, inglisurad laparakobt?Sorry, do you speak English?
Example conversation
A tourist asks a local woman for help in Tbilisi.
- გიორგი Giorgiუკაცრიათ, ინგლისურად ლაპარაკობთ?ukatsriat, inglisurad laparakobt?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- ელენე Eleneკი, ცოტა ვიცი.ki, tsota vitsi.Yes, I know a little.
- გიორგი Giorgiძალიან კარგი, მადლობა.dzalian kargi, madloba.Very good, thank you.
- ელენე Eleneრით შემიძლია დაგეხმაროთ?rit shemidzlia dagekhmarot?How can I help you?
