你会说英语吗
nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ 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.
What does 你会说英语吗 (nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma) mean?
你会说英语吗 (nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma) means “do you speak English” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “you can speak English (question particle)?”
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 yīngyǔ maDo you speak English? (polite)
- 会说英语吗huì shuō yīngyǔ maSpeak English? (more direct, omitting "you")
- 你会讲英语吗nǐ huì jiǎng yīngyǔ maDo you speak English? (using 讲, similar to 说)
Examples
你好，请问你会说英语吗？
nǐhǎo, qǐngwèn nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?
Hello, excuse me, do you speak English?
对不起，我不会说英语。
duìbuqǐ, wǒ bú huì shuō yīngyǔ.
Sorry, I don't speak English.
这里有人会说英语吗？
zhèlǐ yǒu rén huì shuō yīngyǔ 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
你会说中文吗? · Do you speak chinese你会说... · Do you speak你好，我叫 · Hello my name
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