Talarðu ensku?
Talarðu ensku? is the Icelandic way to say "do you speak English?"
This phrase is used specifically to ask if someone speaks the English language.
Meaning: do you speak English? (English specifically) (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tala (to speak) with the second-person singular suffix -ðu (you), and ensku, which is the noun enska (English) in the accusative case.
Which one should you use?
Use Talarðu ensku? when speaking to a single person in an informal way. If you are addressing multiple people, or if you want to be more formal or polite, use Talið þið ensku? instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for the English language, ensku, is in the accusative case because it serves as the direct object of the verb tala.
Did you know?
- While tala means 'to speak', it is also used in Icelandic to mean 'to count' numbers. A person counting out loud is said to be tala.
- In Icelandic, the word for 'language' is tunga, which literally translates to 'tongue'.
- The letter ð in Talarðu is a distinct Icelandic character called 'eth' and is pronounced like the 'th' in the English word 'this'.
Examples in context
- Talarðu ensku?Do you speak English?
- Bara smáJust a little
Example conversation
Ólafur approaches Kristín at a tourist information center.
- ÓlafurHæ, talarðu ensku?Hi, do you speak English?
- KristínJá, ég tala ensku.Yes, I speak English.
- ÓlafurGeturðu að hjálpa mér?Can you help me?
- KristínJá, sjálfsagt.Yes, certainly.
