solo hablo español
/solo ablo espaɲol/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I only speak spanish" is said as solo hablo español.
This phrase is used to inform others that Spanish is the only language the speaker can communicate in.
Which one should you use?
While you can use the word solamente to mean "only" or "solely", using solo is more concise and is more common in spoken conversation. Another common way to express this same limitation is to say no hablo inglés, which translates to "I don't speak English".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word solo (only) can be placed either before or after the verb, though placing it before the verb is the most common way to express this limitation.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Disculpe, solo hablo español.Excuse me, I only speak Spanish.
- Disculpe, no hablo más que español. ¿Podrían proporcionar un menú en español?Excuse me, I speak nothing but Spanish. Could you provide a menu in Spanish?
- Hola, soy nuevo por aquí. Solamente sé español, ¿ustedes hablan español?Hi, I'm new here. I only know Spanish, do you speak Spanish?
- No entiendo el inglés, solo hablo español.I don't understand English, I only speak Spanish.
- Perdone, pero solo hablo español.Excuse me, but I only speak Spanish.
Example conversation
Javier is talking to Maria in a tourist area.
- JavierHola, ¿hablas inglés?Hello, do you speak English?
- MaríaNo, lo siento, solo hablo español.No, I'm sorry, I only speak Spanish.
- JavierNo hay problema, María.No problem, Maria.
- MaríaGracias por entender, Javier.Thank you for understanding, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries español, solo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
