French · Greetings & Essentials
"Do you speak English?" in French: Tu parles anglais ?
Tu parles anglais ?
Note: formal: Vous parlez anglais ?
Do you speak English in French is Tu parles anglais ? With strangers or staff use Vous parlez anglais ? Soften with Excusez-moi, vous parlez anglais ?
Asking a classmate
Tu parles anglais ? On peut réviser ensemble.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Tu parles anglais ?
Say it
tü parl ahn-GLEH
/ty paʁl ɑ̃.ɡlɛ/
tü parl ahn-GLEH. Anglais ends with eh; rise for the question.
"Do you speak English?" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Tu parles anglais ? | Do you speak English? Informal tu. | Informal tu. |
| Vous parlez anglais ? | Do you speak English? Formal/plural. | Formal/plural. |
| Pardon, vous parlez anglais ? | Excuse me, do you speak English? Polite opener. | Polite opener. |
| Un peu d'anglais | a little English Modest answer. | Modest answer. |
How to use Tu parles anglais ? in real life
- 1Asking a classmate
Tu parles anglais ? On peut réviser ensemble.
Do you speak English? We can study together.
Full tu phrase.
- 2Tourist helping tourist
Désolé, tu parles anglais ? Je suis perdu.
Sorry—do you speak English? I'm lost.
Help request.
- 3Language exchange
Tu parles anglais couramment ou juste un peu ?
Do you speak English fluently or just a bit?
Follow-up detail.
Mistakes English speakers make with Tu parles anglais ?
Incorrect: Tu parle anglais ?
Correct: Tu parles anglais ?
Tu takes parles with -s.
Incorrect: Parles-tu l'anglais ? (over-formal word order with tu)
Correct: Tu parles anglais ?
Everyday speech uses Tu parles anglais ?
Good to know
In tourist areas many people answer un peu. Start with bonjour, then Vous parlez anglais ? with staff. Friends get the tu form naturally.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Finding help at a train station
ChatPal
Essaie : tu parles anglais ?
Try: do you speak English?
You
Bonjour — tu parles anglais ?
Hello—do you speak English?
ChatPal
S'il dit non, on montre le billet.
If he says no, we show the ticket.
You
Ok. Merci de m'aider.
Okay. Thanks for helping me.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Do you speak English?" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Do you speak English?" in French
How do you say do you speak English?
Tu parles anglais ? or formal Vous parlez anglais ?
When do I use vous?
With strangers, staff, and anyone you don't tutoie.
How might someone answer?
Oui. / Un peu. / Non, désolé(e).
Should I say bonjour first?
Yes—greet, then ask.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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