tu parles anglais
The English phrase "you speak english" is translated into French as tu parles anglais.
This phrase is used to state that a person has the ability to speak the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the subject tu (you), the conjugated verb parles (speak) and the object anglais (English).
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the statement into a common question such as "do you speak English?", you can add est-ce que to the beginning of the phrase: est-ce que tu parles anglais ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
In French, the name of the language anglais is not capitalized. Do not capitalize it unless it is being used as a noun referring to a person, such as an Englishman.
Did you know?
- If you were speaking to a stranger or a superior, you would never use the phrase tu parles anglais because it would be considered too intimate or even rude.
- While anglais is the word for the language, French speakers often use the term franglais to describe a mixture of French and English used in conversation.
- The word anglais shares a common ancestor with the English word 'angle', referring to the 'Angles', one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Britain.
Examples in context
- Tu parles anglais ?Can you speak English?This sentence shows how to ask if someone speaks English using tu parles anglais.Tatoeba #1117787 by Scott, translation #26170 by CK
- Tu ne devrais pas croire que tout le monde te comprend si tu parles anglais.You shouldn't believe that everyone understands you if you speak English.This sentence uses tu parles anglais within a larger context regarding being understood by others.Tatoeba #3691332 by AlgideAmygdale, translation #3691177 by a_coder
- Je vois que tu parles anglais.I see that you speak English.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing their language skills.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu parles anglais, Manon ?Do you speak English, Manon?
- ManonOui, j'ai étudié ça à l'école.Yes, I studied it at school.
- GabrielC'est super si tu parles anglais !It's great if you speak English!
- ManonMerci, Gabriel.Thank you, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anglais, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
