Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran at speaking Japanese, you might feel the need to speak in English sometimes. The first step to switching languages is to learn to ask “Do you speak English?” in Japanese.
Use the phrases in this guide to prepare you for the search for someone to help you, and if needed, you can also ask “Do you speak English?” in different languages to try to find a common language between you and the person you’re talking to.
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How to say ‘Do you speak English?’ in Japanese
Regardless of your relationship with the person you’re asking (but especially if they’re a stranger), using the polite form of Japanese is ideal for asking if someone can help you. That includes asking if they speak English or any other language.
- Eigo o hanashimasu ka.（英語を話しますか。）= Do you speak English?
It would also be polite to preface your question with a word for “excuse me” in Japanese, like sumimasen (すみません).
Casual
Because casual Japanese is typically reserved for friends and family, you’re less likely to ask someone if they speak English in casual form (as you would presumably already know if they speak English or not). If you use this form, just remember to only use it with people you’re close to.
- Eigo o hanasu?（英語を話す？）= Do you speak English? (casual)
Honorific
Japan is a global power in the business world, so you may have the chance to go on a business trip to Japan for your job depending on your industry. Business Japanese largely overlaps with the honorific form of Japanese verb conjugation and vocabulary, also known as keigo (敬語). While the standard polite form would be sufficient for your needs, you can also be extra respectful by elevating your speech to the honorific form.
- Eigo o ohanashi ni narimasu ka.（英語をお話になりますか？）= Do you speak English? (honorific)
This is typically more appropriate for someone who would be your superior in a work situation. For example, if you’re a non-managerial employee who has been asked to help with language needs, but the person you’re talking to is in upper management at their company, you should make an effort to show extra respect with keigo if possible.
Possible responses to ‘Do you speak English?’ in Japanese
Now that you’ve asked the question, are you ready for the answer? Here are a few responses you might get once you ask if someone speaks English.
‘Yes, I speak English’ in Japanese
The most favorable response is probably that they do speak English. Listen for a word for “yes” in Japanese. The person may omit the word “English” from the sentence, as it’s implied.
- Hai. Eigo o hanashimasu.（はい。英語を話します。）= Yes. I speak English.
- Hai. Hanashimasu.（はい。話します。）= Yes. I speak [English].
The person might also elaborate on how much or how little they speak English. If they say they only speak a little, they may switch to using the potential verb conjugation to say they “can” speak rather than “do” speak.
- Sukoshi hanasemasu.（少し話せます。）= I can speak a little [English].
- Sukoshi dekimasu.（はい。少し出来ます。）= I can [speak English] a little bit.
Listen for the words ryūchō (流暢) or pera pera (ペラペラ), which both mean they’re fluent.
- Ryūchō ni hanashimasu.（流暢に話します。）= I speak [English] fluently. (polite)
- Eigo ga pera pera desu.（英語がペラペラです。）= I speak English fluently. (slightly casual)
If they can help you, great! Make sure you show your gratitude by saying “thank you” in Japanese.
‘No, I don’t speak English’ in Japanese
On the other hand, the person you ask may not speak English and you’ll have to try someone else. Even if they use English to tell you they don’t speak it, trust them and look elsewhere. You may not hear a word for “no” in Japanese (as this can feel too direct), so you’ll have to listen for the negative verb conjugation.
- Iie. Eigo o hanashimasen.（いいえ。英語を話しません。）= No. I don’t speak English.
- Iie. Hanashimasen.（いいえ。話しません。）= No. I don’t speak [English].
The person you ask may also wave their hand back and forth in front of their face (with or without saying anything). This is a type of Japanese body language that means “no,” although it might look like a gesture suggesting they smell something unpleasant to someone from the United States.
Keep the conversation going in Japanese
By asking someone “Do you speak English?” in Japanese, they may be curious about your own language abilities in Japanese. Once you’ve handled what you need to in English, try switching the conversation back to Japanese! Here are some questions people might ask you and ways you might respond:
- Doko de nihongo o manabimashita ka.（どこで日本語を学びましたか。）= Where did you study Japanese?
- Kōkō de nihongo o manabimashita.（高校で日本語を学びました。）= I studied Japanese in high school.
- Itsu kara nihongo o naratteimasu ka.（いつから日本語を習っていますか。）= How long have you been learning Japanese?
- Sannenkan naratteimasu.（三年間習っています。）= I’ve been learning for three years.
- Dono kurai nihon ni iru no desu ka.（どのくらい日本にいるのですか。）= How long have you been in Japan?
- Nikagetsu gurai desu.（二か月ぐらいです。）= [I’ve been in Japan] for about two months.
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