你会说英语吗
nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma
Do you speak english · trad. 你會說英語嗎
你会说英语吗 is the standard and most common way to ask "Do you speak English?" in Mandarin Chinese. It's an essential phrase for travelers and when you need to communicate in English.
When to use it
Neutral and polite. For a more respectful tone (e.g., to an elder or a stranger in a formal setting), you can use 您会说英语吗. If someone asks you this, you can reply with 会 ("yes, I can") or 不会 ("no, I can't").
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "nee hway SHWOH EENG-yoo MAH?" The first 你 is a third tone, but because it's followed by another tone (会), it often shifts to a rising (second) tone, making it sound like "ní huì."
Other ways to say it
- 您会说英语吗nín huì shuō yīng yǔ maDo you speak English? (polite)
- 会说英语吗huì shuō yīng yǔ maSpeak English? (more direct, omitting "you")
- 你会讲英语吗nǐ huì jiǎng yīng yǔ maDo you speak English? (using 讲, similar to 说)
Examples
你好，请问你会说英语吗？
nǐ hǎo ， qǐng wèn nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma ？
Hello, excuse me, do you speak English?
对不起，我不会说英语。
duì bù qǐ ， wǒ bú huì shuō yīng yǔ 。
Sorry, I don't speak English.
这里有人会说英语吗？
zhè lǐ yǒu rén huì shuō yīng yǔ ma ？
Is there anyone here who speaks English?
Pro tip: Remember the tone change for 你会: when 你 (third tone) is followed by another tone, especially a falling tone like 会 (fourth tone), 你 often changes to a rising (second) tone, sounding like "ní huì."
Related phrases
我爱你 · I love you爱 · Love我想你 · I miss you
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