If you find yourself in a French-speaking country but don't understand the native language, one phrase you will need to know is "Do you speak English?" Of course, if someone does know English, you can just ask in English, but you may have more success knowing how to say it in French. This page will teach you how to say "Do you speak English?" in French as well as some other useful phrases.
Learning How to Say "Do You Speak English?" in French
This video gives a short tutorial on how to say "Do you speak English?" in French. The French translation is "Parlez-vous anglais?" If you are traveling to a French-speaking country and do not know how to speak French, this is likely a phrase that you will use often. Another phrase you will probably need is "I don't speak French" ("Je ne parle pas le francais").
Step 1: Learn How to Say "Do You Speak English?" in French
If you cannot speak French or lack confidence in your French-speaking ability, you will need to use the phrase Parlez-vous anglais? quite often when visiting a French-speaking country. This phrase means "Do you speak English?" in French. If you are not comfortable with your abilities in French, you would be wise to seek out an English speaker, particularly when dealing with important matters. While learning key French phrases is important, you will want to be sure that details are not lost in translation.http://www.snappyfrench.com/Basics.html
Step 2: Learn Phrases That Will Help You Communicate
If you know a few phrases in French but are not sure if you are getting your point across, you may want to ask Est-ce que vous comprenez ce que je veux dire? This means "Do you understand what I'm saying?" You may be asked, or you may want to ask Pourriez-vous parler plus lentement?, which means "Please speak slowly." Another phrase you may need to know if you are having difficulty comprehending a French speaker is Je ne comprend pas. Pouvez-vous répéter? This French phrase means "I do not understand. Can you repeat that, please?"http://www.your-translations.com/common_Eng-Fr_translations.php
Step 3: Learn to Ask If Someone Can Speak Another Language
If you meet a person who does not speak English and you cannot speak French, one alternative is to find out if the two of you do know a common language. You would use the same phrase as when asking if they can speak English, but substituting the name of another language. For example, to ask someone if they speak German, you would say Parlez-vous allemand? "Do you speak Spanish?" is Parlez-vous espagnol? French translations of other language names include chinois meaning Chinese, japonais meaning Japanese and portugais meaning Portuguese.http://www.snappyfrench.com/Basics.html http://www.your-translations.com/common_Eng-Fr_translations.php
More How To Speak French Videos on Mahalo
Check out the how tos below to learn more about how to speak French.
- How to Say Hello in French
- How to Say Goodbye in French
- How to Say Please in French
- How to Say Thank You in French
- How to Say My Name is in French
- How to Say Excuse me in French
- How to Say How Much is it in French
- How to Say What's Your Name in French
- How to Say Good in French
- How to Say Nice to Meet You in French
- How to Say I Had a Good Time in French
- How to Say I Want to Buy in French
- How to Count in French
- How to Say I Don't Speak in French
- How to Say I Don't Understand in French
- How to Say How Are You in French
- How to Say do You Speak English in French
- How to Say Where is the Phone in French
- How to Say Where is the Bathroom in French
- How to Say This Food is Good in French
- How to Say Where is a Good Restaurant in French
- How to Toast in French
- How to Flirt in French
- How to Say Goodnight in French
- French Travel Phrases
- Common French Food Phrases