영어로 말해
yeong-eoro malhae
To speak English in Korean, use 영어로 말해 (yeong-eoro malhae).
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to use the English language when talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 영어 (English), the particle 로 (in/using) and 말해 (speak/talk).
Which one should you use?
While 영어를 말해 is grammatically possible, 영어로 말해 is much more natural when requesting the use of a language because the particle 로 specifically means 'by means of'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal or polite contexts, you can use the phrases 영어를 구사하다 or 영어를 사용하다 to mean 'to speak English'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the command polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, add the suffix -세요 to create 영어로 말하세요 (Please speak English). To change the command into an informal request often used among friends, add -줘 to the end of the verb to get 영어로 말해줘 (Speak English for me).
How do you pronounce it?
yeong-eoro malhae
Did you know?
- If you use the casual form 영어로 말해 with a stranger, you may sound like a drill sergeant or a parent disciplining a child.
- In a Korean classroom, a teacher might use 영어로 말해봐 instead of 영어로 말해, where the addition of 봐 suggests 'try speaking English' rather than just 'speak it'.
- While 영어로 말해 focuses on the act of speaking, using the verb 구사하다 implies a high level of mastery, almost as if you are asking someone to 'wield' the language like a tool.
Examples in context
- 영어로 말해!Speak English.Tatoeba #13180099 by atitarev, translation #10801903 by jsannemo
- 저는 영어를 구사합니다.I speak English.
- 회의에서는 영어를 사용해야 합니다.We should speak English in the meeting.
- 너 영어를 하잖아?You speak English, right?
- 나랑 영어로 말해.narang yeong-eo-ro mal-hae.Speak English with me.
- 제발 영어로 말해 줘.jebal yeong-eo-ro mal-hae jwo.Please speak English.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are practicing a language together.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현, 이제 영어로 말해.Dohyun, ije yeong-eoro malhae.Dohyun, speak in English now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon알았어. 조금 어려워.arasseo. jogeum eoryeowo.Okay. It is a bit difficult.
- 수빈 Su-bin천천히 해도 괜찮아.cheoncheonhi haedo gwaenchana.It is okay to go slowly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워, 수빈아.gomawo, Subin-a.Thanks, Subin.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
