parli italiano
The English phrase "you speak italian" is translated into Italian as parli italiano.
A statement or question used to ask if someone has the ability to communicate in the Italian language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the second-person singular verb parli (you speak) and the language italiano (Italian).
Which one should you use?
parli italiano is the informal way to ask 'Do you speak Italian?', whereas parla italiano is the formal way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb parli is the second-person singular conjugation of parlare, used for "you" in an informal context. To address a group of people, you should use parlate italiano. For formal singular address, use parla italiano.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the word parlare can also mean 'to flirt' or 'to negotiate' depending on the context, such as when discussing a price in a market.
- The word italiano is an adjective that functions as a noun, but unlike in English, it is not capitalized in standard Italian unless it starts a sentence.
- In Italian, you do not need to include the word 'tu' (you) in parli italiano because the verb ending -i already identifies the subject. Adding the pronoun can actually make you sound more emphatic or even confrontational.
Examples in context
- Parli italiano?Do you speak Italian?This example shows how to ask the question using parli italiano.Tatoeba #4405 by Pharamp, translation #1590 by bmorsello
- Parli italiano? – Non ancora, è la mia prima lezione!Do you speak Italian? – Not yet, that's my first lesson!This example shows a response to the question using parli italiano.Tatoeba #4267033 by Adelpa, translation #4266635 by Adelpa
- Scusami. Parli italiano?Excuse me, do you speak Italian?This example shows how to use parli italiano after an apology.Tatoeba #8449514 by Ricardo14, translation #8450430 by deniko
- Ciao, parli italiano?Hi, do you speak Italian?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo is a new student in Sofia's language class.
- SofiaCiao, parli italiano?Hi, do you speak Italian?
- LorenzoSì, parlo un po'.Yes, I speak a little.
- SofiaBene, io parlo italiano molto bene.Good, I speak Italian very well.
- LorenzoSei molto brava, Sofia.You are very good, Sofia.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
