no hablas inglés
/no ablas inɡles/from spelling rules
The phrase "you don't speak english" in Spanish is no hablas inglés.
This phrase is used to state that someone lacks the ability to speak the English language.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a group of people, use the plural form no hablan inglés.
Did you know?
- Depending on who you are talking to, you might use no hablas inglés for a friend but no habla inglés for a stranger or boss to show respect.
- The Spanish word for the language, inglés, was actually borrowed from Old French 'angleis', which had itself borrowed the term from Old English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, stating no hablas inglés can sound much more confrontational or blunt than the English 'you don't speak English' due to different cultural norms regarding directness.
Examples in context
- Tú no hablas inglés, ¿verdad?You don't speak English, do you?This sentence is useful for adding a tag question to the phrase no hablas inglés.Tatoeba #592622 by Shishir, translation #498003 by FeuDRenais
- Tienes menos probabilidades de conseguir una buena posición si no hablas inglés.You're much less likely to get a good position if you don't speak English.This sentence uses the concept of not speaking English within a broader context regarding job positions.Tatoeba #2705518 by caiser, translation #26240 by CK
- No hablo inglés, lo sientoI don't speak English, sorry
- Disculpe, no entiendo inglésExcuse me, I don't understand English
- No hablas inglés, así que te ayudaré con el español.You don't speak English, so I will help you with Spanish.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a job requirement.
- SofíaDaniel, no hablas inglés, ¿cierto?Daniel, you don't speak English, right?
- DanielNo, solo hablo un poco.No, I only speak a little.
- SofíaEs un problema para este puesto.It is a problem for this position.
- DanielPuedo tomar un curso pronto.I can take a course soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries inglés, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
