German · Everyday Verbs
"to speak" in German: sprechen
sprechen
To speak in German is sprechen. Ask Sprechen Sie Englisch? with strangers, or Sprichst du Deutsch? with friends. Reden is a close cousin that often means to talk casually.
At a tourist desk
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How to pronounce sprechen
Say it
SHPREH-hen
/ˈʃpʁɛçn̩/
SHPREH-hen. Sch + p blend at the start. The ch is the soft ich-Laut. Stress the first syllable.
"to speak" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| sprechen | to speak Languages and more formal talking. | Languages and more formal talking. |
| reden | to talk Casual conversation. | Casual conversation. |
| mit jemandem sprechen | to speak with someone Uses mit + dative. | Uses mit + dative. |
| Deutsch sprechen | to speak German Language skill phrase. | Language skill phrase. |
How to use sprechen in real life
- 1At a tourist desk
Sprechen Sie auch Englisch?
Do you also speak English?
Sie form for strangers.
- 2With a friend
Kannst du langsam sprechen?
Can you speak slowly?
Infinitive sprechen after kannst.
- 3Language goals
Ich möchte fließend Deutsch sprechen.
I want to speak German fluently.
Sprechen stays at the end after möchte.
Mistakes English speakers make with sprechen
Incorrect: Ich sprechen Deutsch.
Correct: Ich spreche Deutsch.
Conjugate: ich spreche. Infinitive sprechen needs a helping verb or to stay dictionary form.
Incorrect: Sprechen du Deutsch?
Correct: Sprichst du Deutsch?
Du takes sprichst. Sprechen Sie…? is the formal pattern.
Good to know
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? is the polite stranger question; friends use du and sprichst. Many Germans switch to English quickly to help, so saying Bitte langsam sprechen helps you keep practising.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting a language partner in a library
ChatPal
Sprechen wir heute auf Deutsch?
Shall we speak in German today?
You
Ja, lass uns Deutsch sprechen.
Yes, let's speak German.
ChatPal
Toll. Du kannst schon gut sprechen!
Great. You can already speak well!
You
Danke. Ich will jeden Tag sprechen.
Thanks. I want to speak every day.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to speak" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to speak" in German
What is the difference between sprechen and reden?
Sprechen often covers languages and clearer speech. Reden is everyday talking. They overlap a lot.
How do you politely ask if someone speaks English?
Sprechen Sie Englisch? Add bitte for extra politeness.
Why is it sprichst du, not sprechst du?
Sprechen is irregular: du sprichst, er/sie spricht.
How do you say speak slowly please?
Bitte langsam sprechen! or Können Sie bitte langsam sprechen?
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
