What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "Excuse me, English (subject) cannot speak."
Which one should you use?
The phrase すみません、英語が話せません focuses on your inability to speak the language. You may also encounter 英語がわかりません, which focuses instead on the fact that you do not understand English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form すみません、英語が話せません is a polite and standard way to communicate this to strangers or staff. For more formal situations, you can use 失礼ですが、英語は話せません。 to mean "Excuse me, but I can't speak English." In informal settings, you might say ごめんなさい、英語はちょっとダメなんです。 (I'm sorry, but I'm not good at English) or 英語ができなくてごめん。 (I'm sorry for not being able to speak English).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 英語が話せません, the verb hanasemasen is the negative potential form of hanasu (to speak), which expresses the inability to do something.
How do you pronounce it?
sumimasen, eigo ga hanasemasen
Did you know?
- While すみません is used here as 'sorry', it is also the standard way to say 'thank you' when someone does a favor that caused them trouble.
- In Japan, if you use the phrase sumimasen while bowing, the depth and duration of your bow can actually change the perceived sincerity of your apology more than the words themselves.
- In Japanese culture, people often use the word ちょっと ('a little') in phrases like 英語はちょっと… to softly imply a 'no' without saying it directly.
Examples in context
- 失礼ですが、英語は話せません。ご迷惑をお掛けして、申し訳ありません。Excuse me, but I can't speak English. I apologize for causing you any inconvenience.
- すみません、英語が話せませんが、日本語なら大丈夫です。Sumimasen, eigo ga hanasemasen ga, nihongo nara daijoubu desu.Sorry, I don't speak English, but Japanese is okay.
- すみません、英語が話せません。日本語でお願いします。Sumimasen, eigo ga hanasemasen. Nihongo de onegaishimasu.Sorry, I don't speak English. Please use Japanese.
