solo hablo un poco de español
/solo ablo un poko de espaɲol/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I can only speak a little spanish" is translated into Spanish as solo hablo un poco de español.
This phrase is used to inform someone that your ability to communicate in Spanish is limited.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase solo hablo un poco de español, the word hablo means "I speak" and is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb hablar. The expression un poco de means "a little of".
Which one should you use?
You can also use the verb saber (to know) instead of hablar (to speak) to convey a similar meaning, such as solo sé un poco de español to mean "I only know a little Spanish".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are expressing a small amount of a noun like español, you must use the preposition de after the expression un poco.
How do you pronounce it?
/solo ablo un poko de espaɲol/
Did you know?
- The root of the word español may trace back to a Punic word meaning 'coast of hyraxes'.
Examples in context
- Solo hablo un poco de español, lo siento.I only speak a little Spanish, I'm sorry.
- No entiendo mucho porque solo hablo un poco de español.I don't understand much because I only speak a little Spanish.
- Perdón, solo hablo un poco de español.Excuse me, I only speak a little Spanish.
Example conversation
Sofía meets Javier for the first time at a cafe.
- SofíaHola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- JavierBien, gracias. ¿Hablas español?Good, thanks. Do you speak Spanish?
- SofíaHola, Javier. Solo hablo un poco de español.Hi, Javier. I only speak a little Spanish.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Sofía. Podemos hablar despacio.Don't worry, Sofia. We can speak slowly.
