désolé, je ne parle qu'anglais
The phrase "sorry, I only speak english" in French is désolé, je ne parle qu'anglais.
This phrase is used to inform someone that you cannot communicate in any language other than English.
What does it mean word for word?
The construction ne… que is used here to mean "only". Literally, the phrase translates to "I do not speak except English."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use Désolé(e), je ne parle qu'anglais. to express this in a formal way. For a more informal tone, you may say Désolé(e), je parle seulement anglais. If you wish to sound slightly more natural or polite when interrupting someone to clarify a language barrier, you can use pardon, je ne parle qu'anglais.
How does it change in a sentence?
The spelling of the first word depends on the gender of the person speaking: if the speaker is female, désolé must be written with an extra e as désolée.
Did you know?
- The word désolé literally translates to 'disolated' or 'devastated'. Using it in a phrase about language barriers is a linguistic softening, as it suggests the speaker feels a sense of regret or loss over the inability to communicate.
- While English speakers capitalize the word 'English', the French adjective anglais remains in lowercase. This is because it functions as a descriptor rather than a proper noun in French grammar.
- In casual spoken French, the ne in je ne parle qu'anglais is almost always dropped, leaving only je parle qu'anglais.
Examples in context
- Désolé, je ne parle qu'anglais. Parlez-vous anglais ?Sorry, I only speak English. Do you speak English?
- Je suis désolé, je ne parle qu'anglais.I am sorry, I only speak English.
- Désolé, je ne parle qu'anglais, je ne comprends pas le français.Sorry, I only speak English, I don't understand French.
