говорить по-английски
govorit' po-angliyski
To speak English in Russian is говорить по-английски (govorit' po-angliyski).
This phrase is used to describe the ability to communicate using the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb говорить, meaning 'to speak' and the adverb по-английски, which means 'in English'. The adverb is constructed using the prefix 'по-' and the adjective 'английский', literally meaning 'in the English manner'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses an adverb (по-английски) rather than a direct object (the English language) to express the act of speaking. When you want to say 'I speak English' in the first-person singular, you conjugate the verb to говорю по-английски.
How do you pronounce it?
govorit' po-angliyski
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the adjective английский as a direct object, such as saying говорить английский. Instead, always use the adverbial form по-английски.
Did you know?
- In an ironic twist, the word говорить is a cognate of the Polish gaworzyć, which today can mean 'to chatter' or 'to prattle'.
- The word говорить is used for both 'to speak' and 'to say', whereas English distinguishes between these two different types of communication.
- The prefix по- used in по-английски is a productive tool in Russian to turn adjectives into adverbs meaning 'in the style of' or 'according to'.
Examples in context
- Я хочу говорить по-английски.I want to speak English.This sentence expresses a personal desire to speak English.Tatoeba #7419938 by marafon, translation #2854610 by CN
- Он стал говорить по-английски.He started to speak English.This sentence describes the start of a process of speaking English.Tatoeba #4711147 by marafon, translation #294044 by CK
- Он умеет говорить по-английски.He can speak English.This sentence describes the ability or capacity to speak English.Tatoeba #10801855 by marafon, translation #10801902 by jsannemo
- Да, я говорю по-английски!Yes, I speak English!
- Извините, вы говорите по-английски?Excuse me, do you speak English?
- К сожалению, я не говорю по-английски.Unfortunately, I don't speak English.
- Пожалуйста, говорите по-английски медленно.Please speak English slowly.
- Конечно, я буду говорить очень медленно.Sure, I will speak very slowly.
- Можно попрактиковаться в разговоре на английском и русском языках?Can we practice speaking in English and Russian?
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a job interview requirement.
- Дмитрий DmitryВы можете говорить по-английски?Vy mozhete govorit' po-angliyski?Can you speak English?
- Ольга OlgaДа, я немного говорю по-английски.Da, ya nemnogo govoryu po-angliyski.Yes, I speak a little English.
- Дмитрий DmitryЭто очень важно для этой работы.Eto ochen' vazhno dlya etoy raboty.It is very important for this job.
- Ольга OlgaЯ буду практиковаться каждый день.Ya budu praktikovat'sya kazhdyy den'.I will practice every day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries говорить, по-английски, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
