mówić po angielsku
To speak English in Polish is mówić po angielsku.
The phrase is used to describe the ability to communicate using the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression po angielsku means 'in English'. It consists of the preposition po, used here to indicate the manner or language of communication and angielsku, which is the adverbial form of the word for English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is built using the infinitive mówić (to speak or to talk) followed by the adverbial phrase po angielsku. When you conjugate the phrase for different subjects, the verb mówić changes: use mówię po angielsku for 'I speak English' and mówisz po angielsku for 'you speak English'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying mówić angielski. While English speakers may try to use the noun for the language, in Polish you must use the adverbial phrase po angielsku instead.
Did you know?
- The root of mówić can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word *mlewH-, which is the distant ancestor of many words related to speaking and noise in European languages.
- While 'mówić' focuses on the act of speaking, Polish has a different verb, rozmawiać, which is used specifically for 'to converse' or 'to have a conversation'.
- The preposition po used in this phrase can also mean 'after' or 'along', showcasing its highly versatile nature in Polish.
Examples in context
- On musi mówić po angielsku.He has to speak English.This sentence demonstrates a requirement to use the phrase mówić po angielsku.Tatoeba #575391 by Bilberry, translation #294041 by CN
- Chciałbym mówić po angielsku.I would like to speak English.This sentence expresses a desire to use the phrase mówić po angielsku.Tatoeba #5890596 by BeataBeeM, translation #6029359 by Huskion
- Czy on musi umieć mówić po angielsku?Must he be able to speak English?This sentence asks about the necessity of the ability to use the phrase mówić po angielsku.Tatoeba #4410210 by Baakamono, translation #4410107 by XenoKat
- Hey, możesz mówić po angielsku?Hey, can you speak English?
- Chciałbym z tobą porozmawiać po angielskuI would like to talk to you in English.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Paweł and Agnieszka are talking about a job interview.
- PawełCzy musisz mówić po angielsku?Do you have to speak English?
- AgnieszkaTak, w tej pracy trzeba mówić po angielsku.Yes, in this job one must speak English.
- PawełA czy ty już mówisz po angielsku?And do you already speak English?
- AgnieszkaTak, mówię po angielsku całkiem dobrze.Yes, I speak English quite well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mówić, po, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
