انگلیسی بلدید؟
englisi baladid?
In Persian, "do you speak english?" is expressed as انگلیسی بلدید؟ (englisi baladid?).
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the English language. While English speakers use the verb "to speak," Persian speakers typically express this by asking if someone "knows" the language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase انگلیسی بلدید؟ literally translates to "Do you know English?", where baladid means "you know" in the sense of possessing a skill or language proficiency.
Which one should you use?
In English, the question focuses on the act of speaking, but in Persian, the verb baladan (to know) is used to express proficiency in a language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of the phrase uses the singular/informal verb form baladi instead of the polite/plural baladid.
How do you pronounce it?
englisi baladid?
Did you know?
- In Iran, it is common to reply to انگلیسی بلدید؟ with کمی meaning 'a little', even if the speaker is quite fluent, as a sign of modesty.
- Persian distinguishes between two types of 'knowing'. The word baladan in انگلیسی بلدید؟ is used specifically for acquired skills and languages, while dânestan is used for knowing a fact or a person.
- The word انگلیسی is derived from 'England', but in Persian, it is used exclusively for both the people and the language regardless of whether the person is from England or the US.
Examples in context
- ببخشید، انگلیسی بلدید؟bebakhshid, engelisi baladid?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- آیا شما انگلیسی بلدید؟aya shoma engelisi balid?Do you speak English?
Example conversation
A tourist is asking a local woman for directions.
- محمد Mohammadببخشید خانم، انگلیسی بلدید؟bebakhshid khanoom, engelisi balid?Excuse me ma'am, do you speak English?
- سارا Saraبله، کمی انگلیسی بلدم.bale, kami engelisi baladam.Yes, I speak a little English.
- محمد Mohammadخیلی ممنون، می‌تونید به من کمک کنید؟kheyli mamnoon, mitoonid be man komak konid?Thank you very much, can you help me?
- سارا Saraبله حتماً، چه کمکی از دستم برمی‌آید؟bale hatman, che komaki az dastam barmayad?Yes certainly, how can I help you?
