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: 話せますか means "can speak?" not just "speak?" This ～えますか pattern is useful for asking ability: 食べられますか "Can you eat it?" 使えますか "Can you use it?"
Phrase Breakdown
英語を
eigo o
English (object)
'Eigo' means English, and を (read 'o') marks the object. Say e-i-go o.
英語を勉強しています。
I'm studying English.
Words in this phrase
英語
eigo
[ay-goh]
English language
Refers to the English language, not England.
英語を話せますか、少しでいいです。
Can you speak English? Even a little is fine.
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?
This is a polite question asking about someone's ability. Raise your voice slightly at the end: ha-na-se-mas-ka.
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
From 話せる, meaning to be able to speak. Very useful for language questions.
英語を話せますか、通訳はいますか。
Can you speak English? Is there an interpreter?
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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