Signification
Used to ask how to express a word or phrase in English.
Contexte culturel
Americans are generally very helpful and will often give you several synonyms if you ask this question. They value the effort to communicate. In the UK, people might respond with very specific regional terms. If you ask for a word, they might say 'Well, here we call it a...'. In international business, using this phrase is seen as a sign of 'clarity over ego.' It is better to ask than to use the wrong word and cause a mistake. Professors love this question because it shows a student is thinking deeply about the language and not just memorizing.
Use your phone
If you can't pronounce the word in your language, show the person the word on a translation app and then ask 'How do you say this in English?'
Don't forget 'in'
Always say 'in English'. Saying 'How do you say apple English?' sounds very broken.
Signification
Used to ask how to express a word or phrase in English.
Use your phone
If you can't pronounce the word in your language, show the person the word on a translation app and then ask 'How do you say this in English?'
Don't forget 'in'
Always say 'in English'. Saying 'How do you say apple English?' sounds very broken.
Be polite
Adding 'Excuse me' at the beginning makes the request much more natural and friendly.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct way to ask for a translation.
You want to know the English word for 'maison'.
We use 'say' for words and 'do you' for the question structure.
Complete the sentence with the missing words.
How ____ you ____ 'gracias' ____ English?
The full structure is 'How do you say [word] in [language]'.
Fill in the learner's part of the dialogue.
Learner: _________? Native: It's called a 'keyboard'.
The response 'It's called a...' indicates the learner asked for a name/translation.
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When should you say 'How do you say...?'
This phrase is specifically for translation and vocabulary help.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYou want to know the English word for 'maison'.
We use 'say' for words and 'do you' for the question structure.
How ____ you ____ 'gracias' ____ English?
The full structure is 'How do you say [word] in [language]'.
Learner: _________? Native: It's called a 'keyboard'.
The response 'It's called a...' indicates the learner asked for a name/translation.
When should you say 'How do you say...?'
This phrase is specifically for translation and vocabulary help.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is better to say 'What is it called?' or 'How do you say it?'. 'How is it called' is a common mistake influenced by other languages.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your teacher, or your friends.
You can ask 'Is there an English equivalent for...?' or 'How would you describe... in English?'.
In English, most questions in the present simple tense need the auxiliary verb 'do'.
Yes, in very casual situations, but 'How do you say...' is much more polite and clear.
If you are already speaking English, it is usually obvious, but it is good practice to include it for clarity.
You 'say' a word, but you 'tell' a person something. You cannot say 'How do you tell this in English?'.
Use 'How do you pronounce this word?'.
Yes! You can ask 'How do you say this in slang?' or 'How do you say this informally?'.
'How do you say' is the standard. 'How does one say' is very old-fashioned and formal.
Expressions liées
What does ... mean?
similarAsking for the definition of an English word you heard.
How do you spell ...?
builds onAsking for the letters of a word.
What do you call this?
similarAsking for the name of an object you are pointing at.
Is there a word for...?
specialized formAsking if a concept exists in English.
