Which one should you use?
While すみません、英語を話せますか？ is the standard polite form, you can also use Sumimasen, Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? to ask if someone can speak English. For an informal approach, Sumimasen, Eigo ga wakaru? asks if someone understands English and Sumimasen, Eigo ga dekiru? asks if someone can speak English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Sumimasen, Eigo o hanasemasu ka? and Sumimasen, Eigo ga hanasemasu ka? are formal ways to address others. In contrast, Sumimasen, Eigo ga wakaru? and Sumimasen, Eigo ga dekiru? are informal. You should also note that omitting sumimasen and the particle o to say 英語、話せますか？ makes the phrase more casual and less polite when addressing a stranger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 話せます (hanasemasu) is the potential form of the verb hanasu (to speak), meaning "can speak" or "is able to speak". The particle か (ka) at the end of the sentence functions as a spoken question mark.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen, eigo o hanasemasu ka?
Did you know?
- In high-pressure situations, some Japanese speakers may respond to this question with a humble ちょっと… (chotto), which literally means 'a little' but functions as a polite 'no'.
- The word すみません (sumimasen) is used not only for 'excuse me' but also as a way to say 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way to help you.
- In Japan, if you approach someone with すみません (sumimasen), a common polite response is to offer a small bow before even answering your question. This non-verbal greeting often accompanies the verbal interaction.
Example conversation
A tourist is asking a local man for directions.
- 陽葵 Himariすみません、英語を話せますか？Sumimasen, eigo o hanasemasu ka?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- 蓮 Renはい、少しだけ話せます。Hai, sukoshi dake hanasemasu.Yes, I can speak a little.
- 陽葵 Himari駅はどこですか？Eki wa doko desu ka?Where is the station?
- 蓮 Renあそこですよ。Asoko desu yo.It is over there.
