How to Say ‘Do you speak English?’ in Italian
Parla inglese?
PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh
[PAR-lah een-GLAY-zeh]
💬 Usage Tip: With polite [Lei], the verb is often the same form as [lui/lei] "he/she," so [parla] means both "do you speak?" and "he/she speaks." You can reuse that in [capisce?] and [ha?].
🇮🇹 In Italy: This is a normal polite question to a stranger. In tourist areas, opening with this is fine, but starting with a quick [buongiorno] first sounds more natural.
Phrase Breakdown
Parla
[PAR-lah]
do you speak / speaks
From 'parlare', to speak; in this polite question it means 'do you speak'.
In hotel chiedo: "Parla inglese?"
At the hotel I ask: "Do you speak English?"
inglese
[een-GLAY-zeh]
English
Refers to the English language.
In hotel chiedo: "Parla inglese?"
At the hotel I ask: "Do you speak English?"
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Spent the summer in Tuscany researching Italian cuisine. Being able to chat with nonnas at the market about recipes? Absolutely priceless.”
Grace P., 34, Food Writer
“Working on a project in Milan and needed professional Italian fast. The business scenarios gave me the confidence to present to clients within a month.”
Daniel F., 45, Architect
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer