انگلیسی صحبت کن
engelisi sohbat kon
The English phrase "speak English" is translated into Persian as انگلیسی صحبت کن (engelisi sohbat kon).
This phrase is used as a request or a command to instruct someone to use the English language when communicating.
What does it mean word for word?
انگلیسی (engelisi) means "English" and صحبت کن (sohbat kon) is a command meaning "speak" or "talk".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The command انگلیسی صحبت کن is standard.
How do you pronounce it?
engelisi sohbat kon
Did you know?
- The word صحبت used for 'speak' comes from an Arabic root meaning 'friendship' or 'companionship'.
- Persian has a 'Ta'arof' system of etiquette, so a direct command like انگلیسی صحبت کن might be replaced by a much longer, indirect request to avoid sounding bossy.
- The phrase صحبت کن is a compound verb where کن literally means 'do'. Essentially, you are asking someone to 'do speaking'.
Examples in context
- لطفاً انگلیسی صحبت کن.lotfan engelisi sohbat kon.Please speak English.
- فقط انگلیسی صحبت کن.faghat engelisi sohbat kon.Only speak English.
- در کلاس انگلیسی صحبت کن.dar kelas engelisi sohbat kon.Speak English in class.
Example conversation
Amir and Maryam are practicing languages together.
- امیر Amirمریم، انگلیسی صحبت کن.Maryam, engelisi sohbat kon.Maryam, speak English.
- مریم Maryamچرا؟ سخت است.cherā? sakht ast.Why? It is hard.
- امیر Amirمی‌خواهیم تمرین کنیم.mikhāhim tamrin konim.We want to practice.
- مریم Maryamباشه، سعی می‌کنم.bāshe, sa'y mikonam.Okay, I will try.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries صحبت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
