lo siento, no hablo español
The English phrase 'sorry, I don't speak spanish' is translated into Spanish as lo siento, no hablo español.
This phrase is used to apologize and inform someone that you are unable to communicate in Spanish. Note that while no hablo español means 'I don't speak Spanish', if you want to say 'I don't understand Spanish', you would say no comprendo español.
How does it change in a sentence?
To create the negative statement 'I don't speak Spanish' within the phrase, the word no is placed directly before the verb hablo.
Did you know?
- The word español likely comes from a Punic word meaning 'coast of hyraxes'.
Examples in context
- Lo siento, no hablo español, solo inglés.Sorry, I don't speak Spanish, only English.
Example conversation
Javier tries to ask Sofía for directions in Spanish.
- JavierHola, ¿sabes dónde está el museo?Hi, do you know where the museum is?
- SofíaLo siento, no hablo español.I'm sorry, I don't speak Spanish.
- JavierOh, ¿hablas inglés entonces?Oh, do you speak English then?
- SofíaSí, hablo inglés.Yes, I speak English.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries español, lo, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
