Fala inglês?
formal
In Portugal you ask Fala inglês? to a stranger and Falas inglês? to a friend or a young person. It is also called Desculpe, fala inglês?
Meaning: question about language (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Fala inglês? | formal |
| Falas inglês? | informal |
| Desculpe, fala inglês? | polite |
The pronoun is normally left out. If you want to be polite, begin with Desculpe and ask Desculpe, fala inglês?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil the question usually includes the pronoun: Você fala inglês? In Portugal você can sound unfriendly, so the bare verb is better.
How do you pronounce it?
Inglês ends in a sound like "lesh" in Portugal: in-GLESH.
Did you know?
- Many Portuguese people speak some English, so the phrase usually leads to a useful answer.
Examples in context
- Falas inglês?Do you speak English?
- Eu falo um pouco de português.I speak a little Portuguese.
Example conversation
A tourist, Emma, asks a shop assistant called Dona Luísa for help in Lisbon.
- EmmaBoa tarde. Desculpe, fala inglês?Good afternoon. Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Dona LuísaFalo um pouco. Diga.I speak a little. Go ahead.
- EmmaOnde fica o castelo?Where is the castle?
