Signification
Used to ask if someone is able to communicate in the English language.
Contexte culturel
In Egypt, English is a status symbol. Many people will say 'Yes' even if they only know a few words to be helpful. Lebanese people often mix Arabic, French, and English in one sentence (code-switching). Asking this might be met with a trilingual reply. English is the primary language of service. You can almost always start with this phrase in shops and malls. French is often the second language. If they don't speak English, try asking 'Parlez-vous français?'.
Smile and Greet
Always say 'Marhaba' before asking. It increases your chances of a helpful response by 100%.
Gender Matters
If you address a woman as 'Tatakallam', she will understand, but 'Tatakallamīn' shows you really care about the language.
Signification
Used to ask if someone is able to communicate in the English language.
Smile and Greet
Always say 'Marhaba' before asking. It increases your chances of a helpful response by 100%.
Gender Matters
If you address a woman as 'Tatakallam', she will understand, but 'Tatakallamīn' shows you really care about the language.
The 'A Little' Rule
If someone says 'Qalīlan' (a little), they usually speak it quite well but are being modest.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask a man if he speaks English.
هل ____ الإنجليزية؟
'Tatakallam' is the correct masculine second-person singular form.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a woman if she speaks English?
Select the correct feminine form:
The suffix '-īn' is required for the feminine 'you'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct response.
A: هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ B: ____، أتكلم العربية فقط.
The speaker says they 'only speak Arabic,' so the answer must be 'No' (La).
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesهل ____ الإنجليزية؟
'Tatakallam' is the correct masculine second-person singular form.
Select the correct feminine form:
The suffix '-īn' is required for the feminine 'you'.
A: هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ B: ____، أتكلم العربية فقط.
The speaker says they 'only speak Arabic,' so the answer must be 'No' (La).
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIn formal Arabic, yes. In dialects, it's usually dropped and replaced by a rising intonation.
No, it sounds very broken. Always use 'Al-Inglīziyya'.
Try using Google Translate or look for a younger person; English proficiency is higher among the youth.
Say 'Atakallam al-inglīziyya qalīlan'.
Expressions liées
أنا لا أتكلم العربية
similarI don't speak Arabic
قليلاً
builds onA little
هل تفهم؟
similarDo you understand?
كيف أقول... بالإنجليزية؟
builds onHow do I say... in English?
