Parlez-vous
The English phrase "do you speak" is translated into French as Parlez-vous.
You can use Parlez-vous français ? when approaching a stranger who looks like they might know French, such as a tourist or someone in a professional setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Parlez-vous is constructed by inverting the verb parler (to speak) and the subject pronoun vous (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version uses the second-person singular form Parles-tu instead of the formal/plural Parlez-vous. You can also form this question by adding Est-ce que before the subject and verb: Est-ce que vous parlez [language]?
Did you know?
- The word parler is the root for the English word 'parley', which specifically refers to a discussion between enemies to settle a dispute.
- In modern spoken French, people rarely use the inverted Parlez-vous structure. They instead use a rising intonation with the standard sentence order, saying Vous parlez français ? to ask the same question.
- While Parlez-vous is the standard translation, a French person might respond to it by saying Je me débrouille, which literally means 'I manage' or 'I get by'.
Examples in context
- Parlez-vous le turc ?Do you speak Turkish?This sentence is useful for asking if someone speaks Turkish using Parlez-vous.Tatoeba #1905061 by Aiji, translation #634028 by CN
- Parlez-vous le tatar ?Do you speak Tatar?This sentence is useful for asking if someone speaks Tatar using Parlez-vous.Tatoeba #8735067 by Micsmithel, translation #3944984 by CN
- Parlez-vous le sarde ?Do you speak Sardinian?This sentence is useful for asking if someone speaks Sardinian using Parlez-vous.Tatoeba #8739013 by Micsmithel, translation #5871075 by mailohilohi
- 95 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé meets Nathan at an international airport.
- ChloéBonjour ! Parlez-vous anglais ?Hello! Do you speak English?
- NathanOui, je parle anglais.Yes, I speak English.
- ChloéParlez-vous français aussi ?Do you speak French too?
- NathanNon, je ne parle pas français.No, I don't speak French.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
