A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I don't speak spanish well" in French
A polite way to say you don't speak Spanish well in France.
Je ne parle pas bien espagnol.
zhuh nuh parl pah BYAN ess-pan-YOLneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone speaks to you in Spanish, or if you're trying to communicate in Spanish and realize you're struggling. It's a helpful way to manage expectations.
Alternatives
- Je parle un peu espagnol.Use this if you can speak a little Spanish, but not fluently.
- Je ne suis pas très doué(e) en espagnol.This is a more self-deprecating way to say you're not good at it.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'h' in 'espagnol'
The 'h' in espagnol is silent, so don't pronounce it.
Forgetting 'ne' or 'pas'
Both 'ne' and 'pas' are needed to form the negation 'ne...pas'.
A small cultural note
While this phrase is about Spanish, French speakers often appreciate honesty about language abilities. Don't be afraid to admit you're not fluent.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to say I don't speak Spanish at all?
You can say 'Je ne parle pas du tout espagnol.' This clearly indicates you have no ability in the language.
What if they don't understand my French?
Try saying 'Parlez-vous français ?' to see if they speak French. If not, you might need to resort to gestures or a translation app.
Is it rude to say I don't speak Spanish well?
Not at all, especially with the 'Je ne parle pas bien' phrasing. It's a polite way to manage the conversation.
