คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม
khun phut phasa ang-krit dai mai
คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (khun phut phasa ang-krit dai mai) is the Thai way to say "do you speak english?"
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 phrase literally breaks down as "you speak English can [question particle]". The word พูด means "speak" and กรุณา means "please".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษเป็นไหม? is considered a formal way to ask the question, whereas พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม? is an informal version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central Thai, one can use the shorter version พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม?
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ได้ไหม at the end of the sentence is used to turn the statement into a question about ability.
How do you pronounce it?
khun phut phasa ang-krit dai mai
Did you know?
- In Thailand, people often respond พูดได้นิดหน่อย ('speak a little') even if they are quite fluent, as modesty is a highly valued cultural trait.
- When asking this question, Thais may accompany the phrase with a ไหว้ (the traditional pressed-palm gesture) to show respect to the person they are addressing.
- When asking this in a very polite setting, it is customary to add the polite particles ครับ (khrap) for men or คะ (kha) for women at the end of the phrase to avoid sounding blunt.
Examples in context
- พิมล คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหมphimon, khun phut phasa angkrit dai maiPimon, do you speak English?
Example conversation
A tourist approaches a local woman at a market.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอโทษครับ คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหมkho thot khrap, khun phut phasa angkrit dai maiExcuse me, do you speak English?
- พิมล Pimonพูดได้นิดหน่อยค่ะphut dai nit noi khaI can speak a little bit.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับkhop khun khrapThank you.
- พิมล Pimonยินดีค่ะyin di khaYou're welcome.
