Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Do you speak English?" in Italian: Parli inglese?
Parli inglese?
Note: formal: Parla inglese?
Do you speak English? in Italian with tu is Parli inglese? (PAR-lee een-GLEH-zeh). With strangers use formal Parla inglese?
Tourist desk
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How to pronounce Parli inglese?
Say it
PAR-lee een-GLEH-zeh
/ˈpar.li inˈgle.ze/
Parli is PAR-lee. Inglese is een-GLEH-zeh. Rise at the end for the question.
"Do you speak English?" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Parli inglese? | Do you speak English? (informal) Friends and tu. | Friends and tu. |
| Parla inglese? | Do you speak English? (formal) Strangers and lei. | Strangers and lei. |
| Parli un po' di inglese? | Do you speak a bit of English? Softer ask. | Softer ask. |
| Scusa, parli inglese? | Sorry, do you speak English? Polite informal opener. | Polite informal opener. |
How to use Parli inglese? in real life
- 1Tourist desk
Scusa, parli inglese?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Full informal phrase.
- 2Hostel chat
Parli inglese o solo italiano?
Do you speak English or only Italian?
Parli inglese.
- 3Helping a traveler
Se non parli inglese, posso tradurre.
If you don't speak English, I can translate.
Parli inglese inside a clause.
Mistakes English speakers make with Parli inglese?
Incorrect: Parli inglese? to a stranger (too familiar).
Correct: Parla inglese?
Use parla with lei for strangers.
Incorrect: Parlare inglese?
Correct: Parli inglese?
Conjugate: tu parli.
Good to know
In tourist areas many people answer sì to Parli inglese?, but starting with scusa and a smile helps. Switching back to slow Italian after is still appreciated.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Asking for help at a café
ChatPal
Scusa, parli inglese? Cerco la stazione.
Sorry, do you speak English? I'm looking for the station.
You
Sì. Se parli inglese piano, ti aiuto meglio.
Yes. If you speak English slowly, I can help you better.
ChatPal
Va bene. Parli inglese anche con i turisti qui?
Alright. Do you speak English with tourists here too?
You
A volte. Se non parli inglese, uso l'italiano.
Sometimes. If you don't speak English, I use Italian.
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 Italian
Tu or lei?
Parli with tu; parla with lei.
How do I answer?
Sì, un po' or solo un po' di inglese.
Other languages?
Swap inglese: parli francese?, parli spagnolo?
Add please?
Scusa, parli inglese? or per favore at the end.
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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