Вы говорите по-русски?
Vy govorite po-russki?
The English phrase "do you speak Russian?" translates to Russian as Вы говорите по-русски? (Vy govorite po-russki?) or Ты говоришь по-русски?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the Russian language. You can add the word Извините (Excuse me) to the beginning of your question to make it more polite.
What does it mean word for word?
The adverbial form по-русски literally means "in the Russian manner" or "in Russian". This adverb is used with the verb "to speak" to indicate the specific language being spoken.
Which one should you use?
Вы говорите по-русски? is the formal or plural version of the question. In contrast, Ты говоришь по-русски? is the informal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The formal form Вы говорите по-русски? uses the polite or plural "you" (Вы говорите).
How do you pronounce it?
Vy govorite po-russki?
What mistakes should you avoid?
When asking if someone speaks the language, do not use the adjective русский. Instead, use the adverb по-русски.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Официант, вы говорите по-русски?Excuse me, do you speak Russian? (to a waiter)
- Простите, вы говорите по-русски?Excuse me, do you speak Russian? (to a stranger)
- Скажите, вы говорите по-русски?Tell me, do you speak Russian? (to an elder)
- Петя, ты говоришь по-русски?Petya, do you speak Russian? (to a friend)
- Даша, ты говоришь по-русски?Dasha, do you speak Russian? (to a classmate)
- Ты говоришь по-русски?Do you speak Russian? (to a family member)
- Извините, говорите ли вы по-русски?Excuse me, do you speak Russian?
- Вы хорошо говорите по-русски?Do you speak Russian well? (asking about fluency)
- Умеете ли вы говорить по-русски?Can you speak Russian? (asking about ability)
- Ты знаешь русский язык?Do you know Russian? (more casual way of asking)
Example conversation
Dmitry is asking Ekaterina for help in a shop.
- Дмитрий DmitryИзвините, вы говорите по-русски?Izvinite, vy govorite po-russki?Excuse me, do you speak Russian?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, я говорю по-русски. Чем я могу помочь?Da, ya govoryu po-russki. Chem ya mogu pomoch'?Yes, I speak Russian. How can I help you?
- Дмитрий DmitryМне нужно найти этот адрес.Mne nuzhno nayti etot adres.I need to find this address.
- Екатерина EkaterinaКонечно, я сейчас посмотрю.Konechno, ya seychas posmotryu.Of course, I will look now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries вы, по-русски, CC BY-SA 4.0.
