no hablo inglés
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
The English phrase "I don't speak English" is translated into Spanish as no hablo inglés.
You use this phrase to communicate that you lack the ability to speak English. While the standard form is no hablo inglés, you can also use the colloquial expression No entiendo ni jota de inglés to emphasize that you do not understand a single bit of the language.
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).
Which one should you use?
The standard phrase is no hablo inglés, but if you want to say specifically that you do not know how to speak the language, you can use No sé hablar inglés. For a very colloquial emphasis meaning "I don't understand a bit of English", use No entiendo ni jota de inglés.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hablo is the first-person singular present indicative of hablar. In Spanish, the subject pronoun yo (I) is often omitted because the verb ending already indicates the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid adding a definite article by saying no hablo el inglés. While not strictly incorrect in all contexts, the standard way to express the lack of ability to speak the language is no hablo inglés.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, saying no hablo inglés is a common social strategy to avoid complex conversations or to encourage the other person to simplify their vocabulary.
- The word inglés is actually a linguistic traveler that entered Spanish via Old French, rather than coming directly from English.
- If you use the phrase No entiendo ni jota de inglés, you are using a metaphor involving the letter 'jota' (J) to mean you do not understand a single bit.
Examples in context
- Yo no hablo inglés tan fluido como Naomi.I don't speak English as fluidly as Naomi does.This sentence is useful for comparing your level of English fluency with someone else using the form no hablo inglés.Tatoeba #699081 by andresevargas, translation #703092 by papabear
- No hablo inglés.I don't speak English.This sentence is a simple way to state that you do not speak English using the form no hablo inglés.Tatoeba #11629659 by Adelpa, translation #2703689 by CN
- Disculpe, no hablo inglés. ¿Podría ayudarme con las direcciones?Excuse me, I don't speak English. Could you help me with directions?
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.
