Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | /aˈblaɾ/ | |
| fablar | /faˈblaɾ/ | |
| dominar (proficiently) | ||
| chapurrear | /t͡ʃapureˈaɾ/ | |
| chapurrar | /t͡ʃapuˈraɾ/ | alternative form |
| defenderse (mediocrely) |
The primary verb for the ability to communicate in a language is hablar. When referring to the specific vocabulary or specialized terminology used within a language, you can use the noun jerga.
Which one should you use?
While hablar is the standard way to say one speaks a language, dominar is used to emphasize that a person has mastered or is highly proficient in it. If you are speaking a language poorly or with many mistakes, you can use chapurrear or its alternative spelling chapurrar. To indicate that you can manage to communicate at a basic level, the reflexive verb defenderse is used idiomatically to mean you can 'get by'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexican Spanish, the informal term platicar is particularly prevalent.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
For the verb hablar, the first-person singular present indicative is hablo (I speak), the second-person singular informal is hablas (you speak) and the third-person singular is habla (he/she speaks).
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈblaɾ/
Did you know?
- The phrase defenderse literally means 'to defend oneself', which is used when a speaker can only manage basic communication.
- The verb dominar shares an ancient root with the Latin dominus, meaning 'master' or 'lord'.
- While hablar is the standard term, the verb dominar literally means 'to dominate', implying a total mastery over the language.
Examples in context
- Él iba a hablar.He was about to speak.This sentence shows the use of hablar in a past continuous context.Tatoeba #750467 by Shishir, translation #304850 by CK
- Tom va a hablar.Tom'll speak.This sentence demonstrates the future use of hablar.Tatoeba #4524940 by cueyayotl, translation #2123516 by CK
- Él sabe hablar ruso.He can speak Russian.This sentence shows how to use hablar to express ability with a language.Tatoeba #10082638 by manufrutos, translation #10081825 by Cabo
- Me gustaría hablar con ustedI would like to speak with you
- Necesito comunicarme con el directorI need to speak with the director
- ¿Podemos hablar un momento?Can we speak for a moment?
- Me gusta charlar contigoI enjoy chatting with you
- Vamos a platicar despuésLet's talk later
- ¿Me puedo dirigir a la audiencia?Can I address the audience?
- ¿Puedes hablarme?Can you speak to me?
- ¿Podría hablar con usted?Could I speak with you?
- Hola, ¿podemos charlar un rato?Hi, can we chat for a while?
- Buenos días, necesito comunicarme con el gerenteGood morning, I need to speak with the manager
- 919 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing language skills for a new job.
- Alejandro¿Sabes hablar inglés, Sofía?Do you know how to speak English, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, puedo hablarlo perfectamente.Yes, I can speak it perfectly.
- AlejandroQué bien, yo todavía no puedo hablarlo.That's great, I still cannot speak it.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, es fácil.Don't worry, Alejandro, it is easy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “speak” translations and entries hablar, fablar, chapurrear, chapurrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dominar, hablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
