تكلم الإنجليزية
takallam al-’inglīziyyah
To speak English in Arabic is تكلم الإنجليزية (takallam al-’inglīziyyah).
This phrase is used to describe the act of using the English language to communicate.
What does it mean word for word?
The word تكلم (takallam) literally means 'to speak' or 'to talk'. The word الإنجليزية (al-’inglīziyyah) consists of the definite article 'al-' (the) and the adjective 'inglīziyyah' (English), meaning 'the English (language)'.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the phrase بَتِكَلَّم إنْجْلِيزِيَّة؟ when someone is asking 'Do you speak English?' informally.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form تحدث الإنجليزية (tahaddath al-’inglīziyyah) is a more formal way to say 'speak' in many Arabic contexts compared to the common تكلم. The phrase بَتِكَلَّم إنْجْلِيزِيَّة؟ is used in informal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
takallam al-’inglīziyyah
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of saying 'speak English', people use the word بيحكي (bihki), which is derived from a root meaning 'to tell a story' or 'to narrate'.
- When asking if someone speaks English, an Arabic speaker might use a rising intonation with the word إنجليزي (inglīzi) alone, omitting the verb entirely.
- While تكلم is standard, a speaker might use the word أعرف (a'rif), which means 'to know', to say 'I know English' as a more natural way to claim proficiency.
Examples in context
- ألا يمكنك تكلم الإنجليزية؟Can't you speak English?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is unable to speak English using the form تكلم الإنجليزية.Tatoeba #498995 by saeb, translation #483613 by CK
Example conversation
Nour meets Ahmed at an international conference.
- نور Nourمرحباً يا أحمد، هل يمكنك تكلم الإنجليزية؟marhaban ya ahmad, hal yumkinuka takallum al-injliziyya?Hello Ahmed, can you speak English?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أستطيع تكلمها قليلاً.na'am, astati' takallumaha qalilan.Yes, I can speak it a little.
- نور Nourهذا رائع، لنحاول التحدث بها.hadha ra'i', linuhawil al-tahadduth biha.That's great, let's try to speak it.
- أحمد Ahmedحسناً، أنا مستعد.hasanan, ana musta'idd.Okay, I am ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
