Traveling to another country is an incredible way to expand your mind and learn more about other cultures. But many people avoid traveling to countries where they’re not fluent in the language, preventing them from making lifelong memories and sparking curiosity in brand new places.
Get past the language barrier when traveling to a new country by learning how to say “Do you speak English?” in different languages. That way you’ll find someone to help you without depriving yourself of a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity!
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22 ways to say ‘Do you speak English?’
Whether you’re greeting hotel clerks in Vietnam, storekeepers in the Netherlands, or a Portuguese speaker in your home country, knowing how to ask, “Do you speak English?” in different languages can save you a lot of time and stress. Explore this important phrase and how to pronounce it in 22 languages.
| Language | “Do You Speak English?” |
| Arabic | هل تتكلم بالإنجليزية؟ (Hal tatakallamu al-ʾinǧliīziyyah?) |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 你会说英语吗 (Nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?) |
| Dutch | Spreek u Engels? |
| Farsi (Persian) | shomā englisi sohbat mikonid? |
| French | Est-ce que vous parlez anglais? |
| German | Sprechen Sie Englisch? |
| Greek | Μιλάτε αγγλικά (Miláte angliká?) |
| Hebrew | האם אתה מדבר אנגלית (ham ata midber anglit) |
| Hindi | क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं (Kyā āp aṅgrēzī bolte haiṅ?) |
| Irish | An labhraíonn tú Béarla? |
| Italian | Lei parla inglese? |
| Japanese | あなたは英語を話しますか (eigo o hanashimasuka) |
| Korean | 영어 할 줄 아세요? (Yeong-eo hal jul aseyo?) |
| Latin | Loquerisne Anglice? |
| Polish | Czy mówi Pan po angielsku? |
| Portuguese | Você fala inglês? |
| Russian | вы говорите по-английски? (Yy govorite po-angliyski?) |
| Spanish | ¿Habla usted inglés? |
| Swedish | Talar du engelska? |
| Tagalog | Nagsasalita po bo kayo sa wikang Ingles? |
| Turkish | İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz? |
| Vietnamese | Anh có biết nói tiếng Anh không? |
‘Do you speak English’ in Arabic: Hal tatakallamu al-ʾinǧliīziyyah? (هل تتكلم بالإنجليزية؟)
Although the Middle East isn’t known for high numbers of English speakers, citizens in some Arabic-speaking countries are more likely to say Naeam (Yes) to the question Hall tatakallamu al-ʾinǧliīziyyah? English is an official language in Sudan, along with Arabic, and large cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are also home to more English speakers.
For a more informal tone, try saying Bitkallim ingleezi? for men and Bitkallimi ingleezi? for women. You can also learn how to ask “How are you?” in Arabic for a longer conversation!
‘Do you speak English’ in Chinese: Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma? (你会说英语吗)
English and Mandarin Chinese have the most speakers in the world, so you may expect some crossover between these languages. Many people living in Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai speak both languages, so when you ask Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma? (or the less formal Nǐ huì yīngyǔ ma?) you’re likely to find someone who does speak English.
Outside China, English is commonly spoken in both Hong Kong and Singapore. In fact, English is an official language in Singapore, along with Mandarin Chinese. Feel free to speak English there, or brush up on common Chinese phrases before you arrive!
‘Do you speak English’ in Dutch: Spreek u Engels?
Outside English-speaking countries, the Netherlands has the highest number of proficient English speakers in the world. So if you ask Spreek u Engels? in nearly every city, you’re likely to hear Ja! If you’d like to be more formal in your question, use the phrase Pardon, spreekt u Engels? instead.
Dutch is one of the closest languages to English, which makes it easy for Dutch speakers to learn English—and vice versa! Try practicing a few extra phrases for your visit, including Hoeveel kost het? (How much does it cost?) and Kun je dat herhalen? (Can you repeat that?)
‘Do you speak English’ in Farsi: shomā englisi sohbat mikonid?
Iran is a country with a lower English proficiency, so you’re more likely to find English speakers in big cities like Tehran. Whether you’re visiting Iran or talking to a Farsi speaker in your town, saying shomā englisi sohbat mikonid? should let someone know that you’re more comfortable speaking in English.
For a more formal approach, add Bebakhshid, or “Excuse me,” beforehand (Bebakhshid, shomā englisi sohbat mikonid?).
‘Do you speak English’ in French: Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
English is an official language in Canada, so finding someone who speaks your language should be pretty easy. However, English speakers aren’t as common in France outside Paris and other tourist-friendly cities, so asking “Do you speak English?” in French (Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?) is a good idea!
If you’re speaking to someone from French-speaking countries in Africa like Cameroon, Rwanda, and Seychelles, you’ll find more English speakers than you may expect, as English is also an official language of these countries. Still, it’s worth your time to learn more about asking “Do you speak English?” in French before traveling to a country where most people speak French.
‘Do you speak English’ in German: Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Germany is one of the top 10 English-proficient countries, even though English is not an official language there. Lots of English speakers live in Berlin, while fewer live in smaller towns and rural areas. Practice Sprechen Sie Englisch? and other German phrases, and add Entschuldigung, or “Excuse me,” for extra formality (Entschuldigung, Sprechen Sie Englisch?)
Because German and English are both Germanic languages, it’s easy for speakers of one language to pick up the other one in a short amount of time. Soon you’ll be saying
Kommt der Zug Richtung Osten heute Nachmittag oder heute Abend an? (Does the eastbound train leave this afternoon or tonight?).
‘Do you speak English’ in Greek: Miláte angliká?
Also one of the top 10 English-speaking countries, Greece is a wonderful travel location for tourists who only speak English. It’s widely spoken throughout Greece, particularly in tourist areas and smaller villages, so you can comfortably travel in Greece without being fluent in Greek.
The phrase Miláte angliká? should help you find an English speaker in Greece, as well as the more informal Milás angliká? If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time in Greece, or if you’re traveling to less populated areas of the country, consider learning more Greek conversational phrases in case an English speaker isn’t available.
‘Do you speak English’ in Hebrew: ham ata midber anglit? (האם אתה מדבר אנגלית)
Israel has the highest English proficiency in the Middle East, especially in larger cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Thanks to younger Hebrew speakers learning English in school and on television, plus immigrants who have traveled there from English-speaking countries, English is a commonly spoken language in Israel.
Say Ha’im Atah Medaber Anglit? to ask if someone speaks English, or Atah medaber anglit? for a more informal setting. And no matter where you are, the greeting Shalom (Hello or peace) is a welcome way to begin a conversation in Hebrew.
‘Do you speak English’ in Hindi: Kyā āp aṅgrēzī bolte haiṅ? (क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?)
English is an official language in India, though you’re more likely to hear Hindi or even Hinglish (a combination of Hindi and English). Urban areas like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, as well as popular tourist destinations like the Taj Mahal, are places where you’ll more easily find an English speaker.
Say kshama karen (Excuse me) before kyā āp aṅgrēzī bolte haiṅ? to ask someone if they speak English, or say tum angrezee bolate ho? if you need a more informal option.
‘Do you speak English’ in Irish: An labhraíonn tú Béarla?
In Ireland, English is an official language, so it’s the most common language you’ll hear on a trip to the country. Dublin, Galway, or Belfast have high numbers of English speakers, making An labhraíonn tú Béarla? a valuable phrase to know.
If you travel to Gaeltacht, or a place in Ireland where Irish Gaelic is commonly spoken, knowing how to find an English speaker is especially helpful! Have the phrase ready in case you need help with translation, or use the similar-meaning An bhfuil Béarla agat?
‘Do you speak English’ in Italian: Lei parla inglese?
Even though Italy hosts millions of tourists every year, the country as a whole has a lower English proficiency than other European nations. Asking Lei parla inglese? in more populated areas like Venice or Rome should help you find an English speaker, while traveling to Southern Italy and Tuscany may be an occasion to learn common Italian phrases.
Say Parli inglese? if you’d like to be less formal when asking if someone speaks English. Or, if you’d like to be more polite, add Scusa (Excuse me) beforehand to say Scusa, lei parla inglese?
‘Do you speak English’ in Japanese: eigo o hanashimasu ka? (あなたは英語を話しますか)
Not many English speakers live in Japan, unless you’re in a big city. So if you want to ask “Do you speak English” in Japanese, practice the phrase Anata wa eigo o hanashimasu ka? (or the less formal Eigo wo hanase masu ka?).
These expressions are especially helpful if you’re planning to travel to rural areas outside Tokyo or Osaka, or if you’re talking to someone who speaks Japanese along with another language. Learning key Japanese words and phrases for travel can also help you get the most out of your trip!
‘Do you speak English’ in Korean: Dangsin-eun yeong-eoleul hal su issnayo? (영어 할 줄 아세요?)
South Korea is home to a population with a moderate English proficiency, particularly in Seoul and less in areas like Gyeongsang and Chungcheong. Say Dangsin-eun yeong-eoleul hal su issnayo? if you need help or have a question in English, or use the shorter and more informal phrases yeong-eo hal jul aseyo? or yeong-eo haseyo?
Because Korean is one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn, it’s especially important to find someone who can help you understand what’s happening. You’ll still want to know a few Korean greetings and travel expressions, though!
‘Do you speak English’ in Latin: Loquerisne Anglice?
Latin is considered a dead language, so you’re less likely to need an English speaker when surrounded by Latin speakers. Latin and English also didn’t exist as commonly spoken languages at the same time in history, so there isn’t an agreed-upon way to ask someone whether they speak English in Latin.
However, if you find yourself in a Latin class or another situation where more people speak Latin than English, you have a few options. Loquerisne Anglice? is the most direct translation, while Loquerisne linguam Anglicam? asks the listener whether they know the English language. Some people may also say Dicesne Anglus? which more directly translates to “Will you say English?”
‘Do you speak English’ in Polish: Czy mówi Pan po angielsku?
Poland is on the list of top English proficient countries, thanks to the prominence of English speakers in tourist-friendly places like Warsaw and Krakow. Czy mówi Pan po angielsku? or the informal Czy mówisz po angielsku? should help you find an English speaker without much trouble in these areas.
However, if you’re traveling to more rural areas of Poland, consider having some important Polish slang ready to use with the people you meet. You should also have a few ways to say “Hello” in Polish so you can make friends as politely as possible!
‘Do you speak English’ in Portuguese: Você fala inglês?
Você fala inglês? is the most common way to ask a Portuguese-speaking person whether they also speak English. You can add com licença, or “Excuse me,” beforehand if you’d like to be more polite (Com licença, você fala inglês?), or choose from a number of other Portuguese greetings.
Portugal is one of the most English-proficient countries in the world, with Lisbon a major location for English speakers to visit and live. In Brazil, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the most common places to find English speakers (and Você fala inglês? works just as well there!).
‘Do you speak English’ in Russian: Yy govorite po-angliyski? (вы говорите по-английски?)
There aren’t as many English speakers in Russia as there are in other countries, mainly because this Slavic language isn’t very similar to English. However, if your travels take you to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Yy govorite po-angliyski? or the informal Ty govorish po-angliyski? should be helpful questions to know.
If you’re traveling to other parts of Russia or you’d like to say “Hello” in Russian, take some time before your trip to learn key Russian phrases! You’ll understand more about the culture and enjoy the challenge of a language that shares very little in common with your native English.
‘Do you speak English’ in Spanish:¿Habla usted inglés?
Of the Spanish-speaking countries in the world, Argentina and Spain have the highest number of people who also speak English. But whether you’re traveling to Buenos Aires or Mexico City, the straightforward phrase ¿Habla usted inglés? (or the less formal ¿Hablas inglés?) is a helpful one to know before you get on the plane. Say Disculpa, ¿habla inglés? for a more polite way to get someone’s attention, or ask, “What do you mean?” in Spanish to get further clarification.
For travels to other countries in Latin and South America, consider learning a few more Spanish phrases that can make your trip a lot easier. Use Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method to master the dialect you’ll need based on your destination!
‘Do you speak English’ in Swedish: Talar du engelska?
Like Dutch and German, Swedish is a Germanic language, making it somewhat intuitive for English speakers to understand in a shorter amount of time. If you need help from an English speaker before that, however, use the phrase Talar du engelska? as you learn common Swedish words to make conversation and ask questions.
You’ll find that Sweden has a very high English proficiency, just below Singapore, Norway, and the Netherlands. In fact, Stockholm and Gothenburg include bilingual signage in both Swedish and English to accommodate the many speakers of both languages in the country.
‘Do you speak English’ in Tagalog: Nagsasalita po bo kayo sa wikang Ingles?
English is an official language in the Philippines, which has the second-highest English proficiency in Asian countries behind Singapore. Most English speakers live in highly populated areas like Pasay or Baguio City, and fewer live in rural places like Mindanao.
Depending on where you plan to travel in the Philippines, the helpful phrase Nagsasalita po bo kayo sa wikang Ingles? should go a long way. Master basic Tagalog phrases for those times when an English speaker isn’t available, or to learn more about the way Tagalog works in everyday life.
‘Do you speak English’ in Turkish: İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz?
If you’re planning to visit tourist-friendly parts of Türkiye like Istanbul and Antalya, you should be able to find many people who speak English. The most appropriate way to ask is İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz? or İngilizce konuşuyor musun? if you’re asking young people in a more informal setting.
For trips to inland areas of the country that don’t have as many visitors as large cities, practice some key Turkish phrases like Bu ne kadar? (How much is this) and Ne önerirsiniz? (What do you recommend).
‘Do you speak English’ in Vietnamese: Anh có biết nói tiếng Anh không?
To ask “Do you speak English?” in Vietnamese, the phrase Anh có biết nói tiếng Anh không? should work in any region, from larger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to smaller towns in the North Central Coast region. Make it a more polite question by replacing Bạn with Anh/Chị to show respect to the listener and the Vietnamese language.
If you run into more confusion, make sure you know how to ask! Tôi không hiểu means “I don’t understand,” while Ngon quá means “Very delicious” (a phrase you’ll use more than once at Vietnamese restaurants!).
Communicate clearly in any language with Rosetta Stone
Once you know how to say “Do you speak English?” in different languages, the world and its adventures are open to you. But if you’re interested in learning a new language to facilitate your travel or make new friends at home, take a step out of your English-speaking comfort zone with a guide to saying “Hello” in different languages! And sadly, when your travels are over, you can say “Goodbye” in different languages, too. (Until next time, at least!)
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