How to Say
'Do You Speak English?'
in 45+ Languages

Do you speak English?
Parla inglese?
(par-lah een-glay-zeh)

"I do not speak Italian, do you speak English?"
Non parlo italiano. Parla inglese?
(non par-lo ee-tahl-ee-ah-no par-lah een-glay-zeh)

Language Tip: Smiling and using a friendly tone often encourages helpful responses. Check out our helpful guide on how to learn a few Italian phrases before your travels or try these tips on how to order in an Italian restaurant. 

Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais?
(par-lay voo ahn-glay)

"I do not speak French, do you speak English?"
Je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?
(zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-say par-lay voo ahn-glay)

Language Tip: Adding "s’il vous plaît" (please) shows extra politeness. Check out our guides on how to order like a local in French bakery and ordering wine in French for more tips. 

Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
(ah-blah een-glays)

"I do not speak Spanish, do you speak English?"
No hablo español. ¿Habla inglés?
(noh ah-blo es-pah-nyol ah-blah een-glays)

Language Tip: Adding "por favor" (please) is considered polite in Spanish-speaking countries. Be sure to use a polite tone, as formality matters in Spain.

Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

"I do not speak German, do you speak English?"
Ich spreche kein Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(eesh shpreh-ke kine doytch shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

Language Tip: Speaking slowly and clearly helps if your pronunciation is uncertain. Check out our guide for a few easy German phrases to learn before you travel.

Do you speak English?
Fala inglês?
(fah-lah een-glays)

"I do not speak Portuguese, do you speak English?"
Eu não falo português. Fala inglês?
(eoo now fah-loh por-too-gehz fah-lah een-glays)

Language Tip: Polite gestures, like smiling, enhance communication in Portugal.

Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

"I do not speak German, do you speak English?"
Ich spreche kein Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(eesh shpreh-ke kine doytch shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

Language Tip: English is widely understood in urban areas like Vienna and Salzburg.

French:
Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais?
(par-lay voo ahn-glay)

"I do not speak French, do you speak English?"
Je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?
(zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-say par-lay voo ahn-glay)

Dutch:
Do you speak English?
Spreekt u Engels?
(spraykt oo eng-els)

"I do not speak Dutch, do you speak English?"
Ik spreek geen Nederlands. Spreekt u Engels?
(ick sprayk hain nay-der-lahnz spraykt oo eng-els)

German:
Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

"I do not speak German, do you speak English?"
Ich spreche kein Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(eesh shpreh-ke kine doytch shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

Language Tip: The language you use will depend on the region (French, Dutch, or German-speaking areas).

Do you speak English?
Spreekt u Engels?
(spraykt oo eng-els)

"I do not speak Dutch, do you speak English?"
Ik spreek geen Nederlands. Spreekt u Engels?
(ick sprayk hain nay-der-lahnz spraykt oo eng-els)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken, especially in Amsterdam and other cities.

Do you speak English?
Taler du engelsk?
(tah-ler doo eng-elsk)

"I do not speak Danish, do you speak English?"
Jeg taler ikke dansk. Taler du engelsk?
(yigh tah-ler ik-keh dansk tah-ler doo eng-elsk)

Language Tip: English fluency is common, especially among younger Danes.

Do you speak English?
Talar du engelska?
(tah-lar doo eng-els-kah)

"I do not speak Swedish, do you speak English?"
Jag talar inte svenska. Talar du engelska?
(yah tah-lar in-teh svens-kah tah-lar doo eng-els-kah)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken, particularly in urban areas.

Do you speak English?
Snakker du engelsk?
(snahk-er doo eng-elsk)

"I do not speak Norwegian, do you speak English?"
Jeg snakker ikke norsk. Snakker du engelsk?
(yigh snahk-er ik-keh norsk snahk-er doo eng-elsk)

Language Tip: Norwegians often appreciate a polite tone and friendly demeanor.

Do you speak English?
Puhutko englantia?
(poo-hoot-koh eng-lahn-tee-ah)

"I do not speak Finnish, do you speak English?"
En puhu suomea. Puhutko englantia?
(en poo-hoo soo-oh-meh-ah poo-hoot-koh eng-lahn-tee-ah)

Language Tip: Younger Finns and those in cities like Helsinki are typically fluent in English.

Do you speak English?
Czy mówisz po angielsku?
(chi moo-vish po ang-yel-skoo)

"I do not speak Polish, do you speak English?"
Nie mówię po polsku. Czy mówisz po angielsku?
(nyeh moo-vyeh po pol-skoo chi moo-vish po ang-yel-skoo)

Language Tip: English is commonly understood in tourist areas and among younger people.

Do you speak English?
Mluvíte anglicky?
(mloo-vee-teh ang-lits-kee)

"I do not speak Czech, do you speak English?"
Nemluvím česky. Mluvíte anglicky?
(neh-mloo-veem ches-kee mloo-vee-teh ang-lits-kee)

Language Tip: This phrase is particularly useful outside major cities like Prague.

Do you speak English?
Beszél angolul?
(beh-sehl ahn-goh-lool)

"I do not speak Hungarian, do you speak English?"
Nem beszélek magyarul. Beszél angolul?
(nem beh-seh-lek mah-dyar-ool beh-sehl ahn-goh-lool)

Language Tip: English is more common in urban centers like Budapest.

Do you speak English?
Ar kalbate angliškai?
(ar kal-bah-teh ang-lee-shkai)

"I do not speak Lithuanian, do you speak English?"
Aš nekalbu lietuviškai. Ar kalbate angliškai?
(ahsh neh-kal-boo lee-eh-too-vish-kai ar kal-bah-teh ang-lee-shkai)

Language Tip: English is common among younger people in cities like Vilnius.

Do you speak English?
Vai jūs runājat angliski?
(vai yoos roo-nah-yat ang-lis-kee)

"I do not speak Latvian, do you speak English?"
Es nerunāju latviski. Vai jūs runājat angliski?
(es neh-roo-nah-yoo lat-vis-kee vai yoos roo-nah-yat ang-lis-kee)

Language Tip: English fluency is more prevalent in Riga and among younger generations.

Do you speak English?
Talar þú ensku?
(tah-lar thoo en-sk-oo)

"I do not speak Icelandic, do you speak English?"
Ég tala ekki íslensku. Talar þú ensku?
(yegh tah-lah ek-kee ees-len-sk-oo tah-lar thoo en-sk-oo)

Language Tip: Icelanders, particularly in Reykjavik, are highly fluent in English.

Do you speak English?
Kas te räägite inglise keelt?
(kahs teh reh-gee-teh ing-lee-seh keelt)

"I do not speak Estonian, do you speak English?"
Ma ei räägi eesti keelt. Kas te räägite inglise keelt?
(mah ey rah-gee es-tee keelt kahs teh reh-gee-teh ing-lee-seh keelt)

Language Tip: English is commonly spoken, especially in Tallinn.

German:
Do you speak English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

"I do not speak German, do you speak English?"
Ich spreche kein Deutsch. Sprechen Sie Englisch?
(eesh shpreh-ke kine doytch shpreh-ken zee eng-lish)

French:
Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais?
(par-lay voo ahn-glay)

"I do not speak French, do you speak English?"
Je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?
(zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-say par-lay voo ahn-glay)

Italian:
Do you speak English?
Parla inglese?
(par-lah een-glay-zeh)

"I do not speak Italian, do you speak English?"
Non parlo italiano. Parla inglese?
(non par-lo ee-tahl-ee-ah-no par-lah een-glay-zeh)

Romansh:
Do you speak English?
Tgiras ti englais?
(tgee-rahz tee en-glahs)

"I do not speak Romansh, do you speak English?"
Eu na discur betg rumantsch. Tgiras ti englais?
(eh-oo nah dee-skoor betch roo-mahnch tgee-rahz tee en-glahs)

Language Tip: The language spoken depends on the region—German in Zurich, French in Geneva, and Italian in Lugano. Romansh is a minority language spoken in specific Swiss regions like Graubünden; English is common among multilingual Swiss.

Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
(ah-blah een-glehs)

I do not speak Spanish, do you speak English?
No hablo español. ¿Habla inglés?
(noh ah-bloh ehs-pah-nyohl ah-blah een-glehs)

Language Tip: In Argentina, addressing someone with "¿Habla inglés?" is polite and commonly understood.

Do you speak English?
Você fala inglês?
(voh-seh fah-lah een-glehs)

I do not speak Portuguese, do you speak English?
Eu não falo português. Você fala inglês?
(eh-oo nuhn fah-loh por-too-gehz voh-seh fah-lah een-glehs)

Language Tip: Brazilians appreciate attempts to speak Portuguese, but many in tourist areas understand English. Check out our guide to common and fun Portuguese phrases and colloquialisms. 

Do you speak English?
Говорите ли английски?
(go-vo-ree-teh lee ahn-glee-skee)

I do not speak Bulgarian, do you speak English?
Не говоря български. Говорите ли английски?
(neh go-vo-rya bŭl-gar-skee go-vo-ree-teh lee ahn-glee-skee)

Language Tip: English proficiency varies; learning the Cyrillic alphabet can be helpful.

Do you speak English?
អ្នកនិយាយភាសាអង់គ្លេសទេ?
(anak ni-yeay phea-sa ang-gleh te?)

I do not speak Khmer, do you speak English?
ខ្ញុំមិននិយាយភាសាខ្មែរទេ។ អ្នកនិយាយភាសាអង់គ្លេសទេ?
(khnhom min ni-yeay phea-sa khmer te. anak ni-yeay phea-sa ang-gleh te?)

Language Tip: English is commonly spoken in tourist areas; however, learning basic Khmer phrases is appreciated.

Do you speak English?
Parlez-vous anglais?
(par-lay voo ahn-glay)

I do not speak French, do you speak English?
Je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?
(zhuh nuh parl pah frahn-say par-lay voo ahn-glay)

Language Tip: In Québec, initiating conversation in French is courteous; many locals are bilingual.

Do you speak English?
你会说英语吗？
(nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?)

I do not speak Chinese, do you speak English?
我不会说中文。你会说英语吗？
(wǒ bù huì shuō zhōng wén. nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?)

Language Tip: In major cities, younger people are more likely to understand English.

Do you speak English?
Govorite li engleski?
(go-vo-ree-teh lee eng-les-kee)

I do not speak Croatian, do you speak English?
Ne govorim hrvatski. Govorite li engleski?
(neh go-vo-reem hr-vat-skee go-vo-ree-teh lee eng-les-kee)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken in tourist areas along the coast.

Do you speak English?
هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟
(hal tataḥaddath al-inglīziyyah?)

I do not speak Arabic, do you speak English?
أنا لا أتكلم العربية. هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟
(ana la atakallam al-‘arabīyah. hal tataḥaddath al-inglīziyyah?)

Language Tip: In tourist areas, many Egyptians speak English; learning basic Arabic greetings is appreciated. Check out our to learning a few easy Arabic phrases for travel here. 

Do you speak English?
Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
(mee-lah-teh ahn-glee-kah?)

I do not speak Greek, do you speak English?
Δεν μιλάω ελληνικά. Μιλάτε αγγλικά;
(then mee-lah-oh ell-lee-nee-kah. mee-lah-teh ahn-glee-kah?)

Language Tip: In tourist areas, many Greeks speak English; learning basic Greek phrases is appreciated.

Do you speak English?
क्या आप अंग्रेजी बोलते हैं?
(kyā āp angrezī bolte hain?)

I do not speak Hindi, do you speak English?
मैं हिंदी नहीं बोलता। क्या आप अंग्रेजी बोलते हैं?
(main hindī nahī̃ bolta. kyā āp angrezī bolte hain?)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken in urban areas; however, learning basic Hindi phrases can be helpful.

Do you speak English?
An bhfuil Béarla agat?
(ahn will bayr-lah ah-gut)

I do not speak Irish, do you speak English?
Ní labhraím Gaeilge. An bhfuil Béarla agat?
(nee low-reem gwail-geh. ahn will bayr-lah ah-gut)

Language Tip: English is the primary language; Irish is spoken in certain regions known as Gaeltacht areas

Do you speak English?
英語を話せますか？
(Eigo o hanasemasu ka?)

I do not speak Japanese, do you speak English?
日本語が話せません。英語を話せますか？
(Nihongo ga hanasemasen. Eigo o hanasemasu ka?)

Language Tip: In Japan, politeness is key. A small effort to speak Japanese is often warmly appreciated.

Do you speak English?
هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟
(Hal tatakallam al-Ingleeziyah?)

I do not speak Arabic, do you speak English?
أنا لا أتكلم العربية. هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟
(Ana la atakallam al-‘Arabiyah. Hal tatakallam al-Ingleeziyah?)

Language Tip: Many Jordanians in tourism speak English. Using a few Arabic greetings builds rapport. Check out our to learning a few easy Arabic phrases for travel here. 

Do you speak English?
Unaongea Kiingereza?
(oo-nah-on-geh-ah kee-in-geh-reh-zah?)

I do not speak Swahili, do you speak English?
Siongei Kiswahili. Unaongea Kiingereza?
(see-on-geh-ee kee-swah-hee-lee. oo-nah-on-geh-ah kee-in-geh-reh-zah?)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas, but basic Swahili phrases show effort.

Do you speak English?
Schwätzt Dir Englesch? (Luxembourgish)
(shvets deer eng-lesh?)

I do not speak Luxembourgish, do you speak English?
Ech schwätzen net Lëtzebuergesch. Schwätzt Dir Englesch?
(esh shvet-sen net let-seh-boo-air-gesh. shvets deer eng-lesh?)

Language Tip: Most locals speak English, especially younger generations and in service sectors.

Do you speak English?
هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ / Parlez-vous anglais?
(Hal tatakallam al-Ingleeziyah? / Par-lay voo ahn-glay?)

I do not speak Arabic, do you speak English?
أنا لا أتكلم العربية. هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟
(Ana la atakallam al-‘Arabiyah. Hal tatakallam al-Ingleeziyah?)

Language Tip: French is widely used. A few Arabic or French phrases are useful and appreciated. Check out our guides on how to order like a local in French bakery or ordering wine in French or learning a few easy Arabic phrases for travel for more tips. 

Do you speak English?
Praat jy Engels? (Afrikaans)
(praht yay eng-els?)

I do not speak Afrikaans, do you speak English?
Ek praat nie Afrikaans nie. Praat jy Engels?
(ek praht nee af-ree-kahns nee. praht yay eng-els?)

Language Tip: English is the official language, but Afrikaans and German are also common. Check out our guide for a few easy German phrases to learn before you travel.

Do you speak English?
Do you speak English?
(doo yoo speek ing-glish?)

I do not speak Māori, do you speak English?
Kāore au i te mōhio ki te reo Māori. Do you speak English?
(kah-or-eh oh ee teh moh-hee-oh kee teh reh-oh mah-oh-ree)

Language Tip: English is spoken by all, but knowing a Māori greeting like "Kia ora" is respectful.

Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
(ah-blah een-glehs?)

I do not speak Spanish, do you speak English?
No hablo español. ¿Habla inglés?
(noh ah-bloh ehs-pah-nyol. ah-blah een-glehs?)

Language Tip: In major tourist areas like Cusco, English is common. Elsewhere, basic Spanish helps.

Do you speak English?
Vorbiți engleză?
(vor-beets eng-gleh-zuh?)

I do not speak Romanian, do you speak English?
Nu vorbesc română. Vorbiți engleză?
(noo vor-besk roh-muh-nuh. vor-beets eng-gleh-zuh?)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken in cities and by younger people.

Do you speak English?
A bheil Beurla agad? (Scottish Gaelic)
(a vel byoor-luh ah-kut?)

I do not speak Gaelic, do you speak English?
Chan eil Gàidhlig agam. A bheil Beurla agad?
(khan yail gah-lick ah-kum. a vel byoor-luh ah-kut?)

Language Tip: English is spoken everywhere. Gaelic is mostly found in the Highlands and Hebrides.

Do you speak English?
Govorite li engleski?
(go-vo-ree-teh lee eng-les-kee?)

I do not speak Serbian, do you speak English?
Ne govorim srpski. Govorite li engleski?
(neh go-vo-reem srp-skee. go-vo-ree-teh lee eng-les-kee?)

Language Tip: Many younger Serbians speak English. Cyrillic and Latin scripts are both used.

Do you speak English?
Hovoríte po anglicky?
(ho-vo-ree-teh poh ang-leets-kee?)

I do not speak Slovak, do you speak English?
Nehovorím po slovensky. Hovoríte po anglicky?
(neh-ho-vo-reem poh slo-ven-skee. ho-vo-ree-teh poh ang-leets-kee?)

Language Tip: In cities and tourist areas, English is becoming more common.

Do you speak English?
Govorite angleško?
(go-vo-ree-teh an-gleh-shko?)

I do not speak Slovene, do you speak English?
Ne govorim slovensko. Govorite angleško?
(neh go-vo-reem slo-ven-sko. go-vo-ree-teh an-gleh-shko?)

Language Tip: English is widely spoken, especially among younger people.

Do you speak English?
Praat jy Engels? (Afrikaans)
(praht yay eng-els?)

I do not speak Afrikaans, do you speak English?
Ek praat nie Afrikaans nie. Praat jy Engels?
(ek praht nee af-ree-kahns nee. praht yay eng-els?)

Language Tip: English is one of South Africa’s official languages and is widely used in travel settings.

While this one phrase can be very useful, pairing it with “I don’t speak [the local language]” is even better. It adds context and softens the ask. Learning basic words like “hello,” “please,” and “thank you” is also highly recommended.

Even on a guided tour, there will likely be free time or unscripted moments like shopping, grabbing coffee, or asking for directions, where speaking a little of the local language helps you interact more smoothly and respectfully.

In many places, no. But asking in the local language shows cultural sensitivity and humility. It creates a better first impression and is more likely to lead to a helpful response.

That’s completely okay. Locals usually appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. Most people will try to understand or switch to English if they can.

Use a few helpful methods:

• Create flashcards or a phrase list for each country.
• Practice out loud using YouTube or language apps like Duolingo or Babble.
• Print a cheat sheet or save a screenshot on your phone.
• Group similar phrases (like greetings and directions) to make them easier to recall.

No. If the person you’re speaking to doesn’t know English, they may not recognize the question even when asked in their own language. Still, asking in the local language increases your chances, especially in tourist-friendly areas.

Yes. In places like the Netherlands or Scandinavia where English is common, the effort still shows respect. In countries where English is less common, it becomes more practical and helpful.