Study To Ask ‘Do You Communicate English?’ in Japanese

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Whether or not you’re a newbie or a veteran at talking Japanese, you would possibly really feel the necessity to converse in English typically. Step one to switching languages is to study to ask “Do you converse English?” in Japanese. 

Use the phrases on this information to arrange you for the seek for somebody that can assist you, and if wanted, it’s also possible to ask “Do you converse English?” in several languages to attempt to discover a widespread language between you and the individual you’re speaking to.

Tips on how to say ‘Do you converse English?’ in Japanese

No matter your relationship with the individual you’re asking (however particularly in the event that they’re a stranger), utilizing the well mannered type of Japanese is right for asking if somebody can assist you. That features asking in the event that they converse English or every other language. 

• Eigo o hanashimasu ka.（英語を話しますか。）= Do you converse English?
  

It could even be well mannered to preface your query with a phrase for “excuse me” in Japanese, like sumimasen (すみません).

Informal 

As a result of informal Japanese is usually reserved for family and friends, you’re much less more likely to ask somebody in the event that they converse English in informal kind (as you’ll presumably already know in the event that they converse English or not). When you use this manner, simply keep in mind to solely use it with folks you’re near.

• Eigo o hanasu?（英語を話す？）= Do you converse English? (informal)

Honorific

Japan is a worldwide energy within the enterprise world, so you’ll have the prospect to go on a enterprise journey to Japan in your job relying in your business. Enterprise Japanese largely overlaps with the honorific type of Japanese verb conjugation and vocabulary, often known as keigo (敬語). Whereas the usual well mannered kind could be ample in your wants, it’s also possible to be further respectful by elevating your speech to the honorific kind.

• Eigo o ohanashi ni narimasu ka.（英語をお話になりますか？）= Do you converse English? (honorific)

That is usually extra acceptable for somebody who could be your superior in a piece scenario. For instance, in the event you’re a non-managerial worker who has been requested to assist with language wants, however the individual you’re speaking to is in higher administration at their firm, you must make an effort to indicate further respect with keigo if potential.

Doable responses to ‘Do you converse English?’ in Japanese

Now that you simply’ve requested the query, are you prepared for the reply? Listed below are a couple of responses you would possibly get when you ask if somebody speaks English.

‘Sure, I converse English’ in Japanese 

Essentially the most favorable response might be that they do converse English. Hear for a phrase for “sure” in Japanese. The individual might omit the phrase “English” from the sentence, because it’s implied.

• Hai. Eigo o hanashimasu.（はい。英語を話します。）= Sure. I converse English.
  
  • Hai. Hanashimasu.（はい。話します。）= Sure. I converse [English].

The individual may also elaborate on how a lot or how little they converse English. If they are saying they solely converse just a little, they might change to utilizing the potential verb conjugation to say they “can” converse fairly than “do” converse.

• Sukoshi hanasemasu.（少し話せます。）= I can converse just a little [English].
• Sukoshi dekimasu.（はい。少し出来ます。）= I can [speak English] just a little bit.

Hear for the phrases ryūchō (流暢) or pera pera (ペラペラ), which each imply they’re fluent.

• Ryūchō ni hanashimasu.（流暢に話します。）= I converse [English] fluently. (well mannered)
• Eigo ga pera pera desu.（英語がペラペラです。）= I converse English fluently. (barely informal)

In the event that they can assist you, nice! Ensure you present your gratitude by saying “thanks” in Japanese.

‘No, I don’t converse English’ in Japanese

Then again, the individual you ask might not converse English and also you’ll must attempt another person. Even when they use English to inform you they don’t converse it, belief them and look elsewhere. Chances are you’ll not hear a phrase for “no” in Japanese (as this could really feel too direct), so that you’ll must pay attention for the detrimental verb conjugation.

• Iie. Eigo o hanashimasen.（いいえ。英語を話しません。）= No. I don’t converse English.
  • Iie. Hanashimasen.（いいえ。話しません。）= No. I don’t converse [English].

The individual you ask may wave their hand backwards and forwards in entrance of their face (with or with out saying something). This can be a sort of Japanese physique language meaning “no,” though it would appear to be a gesture suggesting they scent one thing disagreeable to somebody from the US. 

Preserve the dialog getting into Japanese

By asking somebody “Do you converse English?” in Japanese, they might be interested in your personal language skills in Japanese. When you’ve dealt with what you have to in English, attempt switching the dialog again to Japanese! Listed below are some questions folks would possibly ask you and methods you would possibly reply:

• Doko de nihongo o manabimashita ka.（どこで日本語を学びましたか。）= The place did you research Japanese?
  • Kōkō de nihongo o manabimashita.（高校で日本語を学びました。）= I studied Japanese in highschool.
• Itsu kara nihongo o naratteimasu ka.（いつから日本語を習っていますか。）= How lengthy have you ever been studying Japanese?
  • Sannenkan naratteimasu.（三年間習っています。）= I’ve been studying for 3 years.
• Dono kurai nihon ni iru no desu ka.（どのくらい日本にいるのですか。）= How lengthy have you ever been in Japan?
  • Nikagetsu gurai desu.（二か月ぐらいです。）= [I’ve been in Japan] for about two months.