我只会说英语
wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ
The English phrase "I only speak English" is translated into Chinese as 我只会说英语 (wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ).
This phrase is used to set expectations for communication when you realize the other person may not speak English well. To make the statement more polite, you can add 很抱歉 (I'm sorry) to the beginning of the sentence.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 我只会说英语 is composed of 我 (I), 只 (only), 会 (can/know how to), 说 (speak) and 英语 (English).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, one can say 對不起，我只懂英語。 to mean "Sorry, I only speak English.". In Hong Kong, the phrase 唔好意思，我只識講英文。 means "Excuse me, I only speak English.".
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ
Did you know?
- While 'English' refers to the language, the term 英 itself can also mean 'brave' or 'heroic' in other classical contexts.
- In the phrase 我只会说英语, the word 会 does not just mean 'can', but specifically implies a skill acquired through learning and study.
- In Cantonese, the word 识 used in the Hong Kong version means both 'to know' a person and 'to have the skill' to do something, like speaking a language.
Examples in context
- 很抱歉，我只会说英语。I'm sorry, I can only speak English.
- 对不起，我只会说英语。Sorry, I only speak English.
- 我不懂中文，我只会说英语。Wǒ bù dǒng Zhōngwén, wǒ zhǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ.I don't understand Chinese, I only speak English.
- 我只会说英语，请说慢一点。Wǒ zhǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ, qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.I only speak English, please speak more slowly.
Example conversation
A tourist is asking for directions in a busy street.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen先生，请问你要去哪里？Xiānsheng, qǐngwèn nǐ yào qù nǎlǐ?Sir, may I ask where you are going?
- 浩然 Haoran对不起，我只会说英语。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ zhǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ.I am sorry, I only speak English.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没关系，我可以试试用英文跟你说话。Méiguānxi, wǒ kěyǐ shìshì yòng Yīngwén gēn nǐ shuōhuà.It's okay, I can try to speak to you in English.
- 浩然 Haoran太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ.That is great, thank you.
