A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Do you speak english" in Italian
The essential Italian phrase to ask if someone speaks English. Use this when you need to communicate in English in Italy.
Parla inglese?
PAR-lah een-GLAY-sehformal
Italian TTS · 0:01
Ask this when you first approach someone you think might speak English, like hotel staff or a shopkeeper. It's polite to check before launching into your English.
Alternatives
- Parli inglese?Use this if you're talking to someone your own age or younger, or someone you've already established a casual rapport with.
- Scusi, parla inglese?Adding 'Scusi' (excuse me) makes it even more polite, especially when interrupting someone.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'parla' and 'parli'
'Parla' is for 'Lei' (formal you), while 'parli' is for 'tu' (informal you). Stick to 'parla' with strangers.
Pronouncing 'inglese' like 'English'
The 'g' in 'inglese' is soft, like the 'j' in 'jeans', not a hard 'g'. The 'e' at the end is like 'eh'.
A small cultural note
While many Italians speak some English, especially in tourist areas, asking politely first is always appreciated. It shows respect for their language.
Frequently asked
How do I say do you speak English in Italian?
The most common way is 'Parla inglese?'. This uses the formal 'Lei' form, which is appropriate for strangers.
Is 'Parla inglese?' formal or informal?
'Parla inglese?' is the formal version, using the 'Lei' conjugation. The informal version is 'Parli inglese?'.
What if they don't speak English?
If they shake their head or say 'No', you can try a few basic Italian phrases or use a translation app. They will likely appreciate the effort.
How do you ask an Italian if they speak English?
The most common way to ask if someone speaks English in Italian is 'Parla inglese?'. This is a polite and direct way to inquire.
What is the polite way to ask 'Do you speak English?' in Italian?
To be more polite, you can use 'Parla inglese, per favore?' which means 'Do you speak English, please?'. Alternatively, you can use the formal 'Lei parla inglese?'.
How to respond if an Italian asks 'Do you speak English?'
If you speak English, you can simply say 'Sì, parlo inglese' (Yes, I speak English). If you don't, you can say 'No, non parlo inglese' (No, I don't speak English).
