How to Say ‘Do you speak English?’ in Japanese
英語を話せますか？
eigo o hanase masu ka
[AY-goh oh hah-NAH-seh mahs kah]
💬 Usage Tip: Adding か to the end turns a polite sentence into a question. No change in word order is needed.
Phrase Breakdown
英語を
eigo o
English (object)
英語 (eigo) means English. The particle を is read 'o' and marks the object.
英語を勉強します。
I study English.
Words in this phrase
英語
eigo
[AY-goh]
English (language)
Noun for the English language.
英語が好きです。
I like English.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.
チケットを二枚ください。
Two tickets, please.
話せますか？
hanase masu ka
can you speak?
'Can speak' plus か, which makes it a question. Raise your voice slightly at the end.
日本語を話せますか？
Can you speak Japanese?
Words in this phrase
話せ
hanase
[hah-NAH-seh]
can speak
Potential form of 話す (to speak), meaning 'be able to speak'.
少し話せます。
I can speak a little.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Placed at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
A席はありますか。
Are there A seats available?
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