Ви розмовляєте англійською?
Vy rozmovliaiete anhliiskoiu?
The English phrase "do you speak english?" is translated into Ukrainian as Ви розмовляєте англійською? (Vy rozmovliaiete anhliiskoiu?)
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the English language.
Which one should you use?
The default form Ви розмовляєте англійською? is the version used when you are addressing a stranger, an elder or a group of people. Another way to phrase the question is Можеш говорити англійською?, which specifically asks "Can you speak English?" in an informal manner.
How do you pronounce it?
Vy rozmovliaiete anhliiskoiu?
Did you know?
- The word англійською is actually an adjective acting as an adverb. In Ukrainian, you do not just speak 'English' as a noun, but you speak 'in an English manner'.
- When answering this question, a Ukrainian might say трохи, meaning 'a little'. This is often used as a polite hedge to manage expectations about their actual fluency level.
- Ukrainian has two different verbs for 'to speak'. Розмовляти refers to the act of conversing or having a dialogue, while говорити refers to the physical ability to produce speech or state a fact.
Example conversation
Andriy approaches Iryna to ask for directions in a park.
- Андрій AndriiВибачте, ви розмовляєте англійською?Vybachte, vy rozmovlyayete anhliyskoyu?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Ірина IrynaТак, я трохи розмовляю.Tak, ya trokhy rozmovlyayu.Yes, I speak a little.
- Андрій AndriiДякую, де знаходиться центр міста?Dyakuyu, de znakhodytsya tsentr mista?Thank you, where is the city center?
- Ірина IrynaВін прямо по цій вулиці.Vin pryamo po tsi-i vulitsi.It is straight down this street.
