Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं? | kyā āp aṅgrezī bolte ha͠i? | formal, masculine |
| क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हैं? | kyā āp aṅgrezī boltī ha͠i? | feminine, formal |
| क्या तुम अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हो? | kyā tum aṅgrezī bolte ho? | informal, masculine |
| क्या तुम अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हो? | kyā tum aṅgrezī boltī ho? | feminine, informal |
| क्या तू अंग्रेज़ी बोलता है? | kyā tū aṅgrezī boltā hai? | intimate, masculine |
| क्या तू अंग्रेज़ी बोलती है? | kyā tū aṅgrezī boltī hai? | feminine, intimate |
This phrase is used to ask if a person speaks the English language. The word अंग्रेज़ी refers specifically to the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word क्या at the beginning of the sentence functions as a particle to turn the statement into a yes/no question. The phrase includes अंग्रेज़ी, which means English language.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the level of formality and the gender of the person you are addressing. आप is used for formal situations, while तुम is used for friends or peers and तू is used for intimate contexts. The verb endings change to match both the level of formality and the gender of the listener.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are three main levels of formality. Use क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं? or क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हैं? for formal situations or when speaking to strangers. Use क्या तुम अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हो? or क्या तुम अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हो? for friends or peers. The forms using तू are for intimate situations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of North India, you may hear the word अंग्रेज़ी replaced with 'English'. Additionally, in certain regions, बोलते हैं may be replaced with बोलते हो.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ending changes based on the gender of the person being addressed. For example, formal masculine uses बोलते हैं while formal feminine uses बोलती हैं.
How do you pronounce it?
kyā āp aṅgrezī bolte ha͠i?
When do people say it?
A common natural response to this question is हाँ, थोड़ी बहुत।, which means 'Yes, a little bit.'
Did you know?
Examples in context
- क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?Do you speak English?This example shows how to ask 'Do you speak English?' using the formal masculine form क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?Tatoeba #4907748 by yashtib1995, translation #378270 by saeb
Example conversation
Amit is asking Anjali if she can communicate in English at a formal event.
- अमित Amitनमस्ते, क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?Namaste, kya aap angrezi bolte hain?Hello, do you speak English?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, मैं थोड़ी अंग्रेज़ी बोलती हूँ।Haan, mein thodi angrezi bolti hoon.Yes, I speak a little English.
- अमित Amitबहुत अच्छा, क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकती हैं?Bahut achha, kya aap meri madad kar sakti hain?Very good, can you help me?
- अंजलि Anjaliजी हाँ, बताइए मैं आपकी क्या मदद करूँ?Ji haan, bataiye mein aapki kya madad karoon?Yes, tell me how can I help you?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “do you speak english” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अंग्रेज़ी, आप, क्या, तुम, बोलती, हो, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
