parlare inglese
/parˈla.re inˈɡle.ze/word by word
To speak English in Italian is parlare inglese.
The phrase is used to describe the ability to communicate using the English language.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the first person singular present tense, it becomes parlo inglese (I speak English). In the third person singular present tense, it becomes parla inglese (he/she speaks English). In the third person plural present tense, it becomes parlano inglese (they speak English). Other variations include Riesci a parlare inglese? to ask if someone can manage to speak English.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /parˈla.re inˈɡle.ze/. The word has five syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I speak English', an Italian might use the verb conoscere (to know) to mean they 'know' English, making 'conosco l'inglese' a common alternative.
- The verb parlare shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'parable', both coming from the Latin concept of 'speaking' or 'talking'.
- The term inglese is used for both the language and the people, whereas English uses different words for the language and the nationality.
Examples in context
- Tu sai parlare inglese?Do you know how to speak English?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to speak English using parlare inglese.Tatoeba #2457807 by Guybrush88, translation #69648 by CK
- Chi sa parlare inglese?Who can speak English?This sentence is useful for asking who is able to speak English using parlare inglese.Tatoeba #11266161 by Guybrush88, translation #276295 by CN
- Puoi non parlare inglese?Are you not able to speak English?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is unable to speak English using parlare inglese.Tatoeba #645893 by Guybrush88, translation #16287 by cromwellt
- Parli inglese?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- Può parlare inglese?Can you speak English?
- È possibile parlare inglese?Is it possible to speak English?
- Per favore, potrebbe parlare inglese?Please, could you speak English?
- Riesci a parlare inglese?Can you manage to speak English?
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are meeting for the first time at a cafe.
- MatteoScusa, sai parlare inglese?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- GiuliaSì, posso parlare inglese molto bene.Yes, I can speak English very well.
- MatteoChe fortuna! Mi chiamo Matteo.How lucky! My name is Matteo.
- GiuliaPiacere di conoscerti, Matteo. Io sono Giulia.Nice to meet you, Matteo. I am Giulia.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (parlare, inglese) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inglese, parlare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
