no hablo inglés
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
The phrase no hablo inglés is used in Spanish to say "I speak no English".
This phrase is used to inform someone that you do not have the ability to communicate in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of no (not), hablo (I speak) and inglés (English).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hablo is the first-person singular present indicative form of hablar (to speak).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌno ˌablo inˈɡles/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying no hablo inglés can be a strategic social tool to avoid speaking with tourists or to signal that a person wants to be left alone.
- The word inglés traces its lineage back to the Old English word Englisc, having traveled through Old French before entering the Spanish language.
- If someone says no hablo inglés but continues to respond in basic English, it is often seen as a polite way to manage the other person's expectations.
Examples in context
- No hablo inglés.I don't speak English.
- No sé inglés, lo siento.I don't know English, sorry.
- No hablo inglés, solo español.I speak no English, only Spanish.
- Disculpe, yo no hablo inglés.Excuse me, I do not 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.
