no hablo inglés
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
no hablo inglés is the Spanish way to say I don't speak English.
Meaning: I don't speak (fill with the name of the current foreign language) (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not), hablo (I speak) and inglés (English).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase No hablo inglés, no entiendo is used to say I don't speak English, I don't understand.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hablo is the first-person singular present indicative of hablar. Because the verb ending implies the subject, the pronoun yo (I) is often omitted, making the sentence sound more natural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes say yo no hablo inglés by adding an unnecessary emphasis on yo. While this is grammatically correct, omitting the pronoun is more natural in standard Spanish.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word inglés is capitalized when referring to the language in some older texts, but in modern standard orthography, names of languages are not capitalized.
- The word inglés is an ancient traveler that entered Spanish through Old French. It traces its roots all the way back to the Old English word Englisc, linking the Spanish name for the language directly to its Germanic origins.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase no hablo mucho inglés to signal a basic level of proficiency, which prevents the other person from switching entirely to a translator.
Examples in context
- Yo no hablo inglés tan fluido como Naomi.I don't speak English as fluidly as Naomi does.This sentence uses no hablo inglés to compare the fluency of English speaking.Tatoeba #699081 by andresevargas, translation #703092 by papabear
- No hablo inglés.I don't speak English.This sentence is a simple statement of the phrase no hablo inglés.Tatoeba #11629659 by Adelpa, translation #2703689 by CN
- Disculpe, no hablo inglés. ¿Dónde está la estación de tren?Excuse me, I don't speak English. Where is the train station?
- Lo siento, no hablo inglés.I am sorry, I don't speak English.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry no hablo inglés, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inglés, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
