Hello, I’m Kodak.
When traveling in Japan, one of the most useful questions you can learn is:
Hiragana: えいごがはなせますか？
Romaji: Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Meaning: Can you speak English? / Do you speak English?
英語が話せますか？ is a natural and polite way to ask whether someone can speak English.
英語が話せますか？
Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Can you speak English?
A slightly softer travel version is:
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Sumimasen, eigo wa hanasemasu ka?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
In this article, you will learn:
② how to pronounce and write it
③ the grammar of 英語 + が + 話せます + か
④ the difference between 英語が・英語を・英語は
⑤ the difference between 話せますか and 話しますか
⑥ softer alternatives for travelers
⑦ common answers such as “a little” and “I don’t speak English”
What Does 英語が話せますか Mean?
英語が話せますか literally asks whether English is something the listener is able to speak.
English / the English language
が (ga)
Particle marking English as the language someone is able to speak
話せます (hanasemasu)
Can speak / am able to speak
か (ka)
Question particle
English + can speak + question
↓
Can you speak English?
英語が話せますか？
Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Can you speak English?
English often asks “Do you speak English?”, but Japanese naturally asks about ability: “Can you speak English?”
How to Pronounce Eigo ga Hanasemasu ka
Hiragana: えいごがはなせますか？
Romaji: eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Mora: え・い・ご・が・は・な・せ・ま・す・か
Keep a fairly even Japanese rhythm:
ga — が
ha-na-se-ma-su — 話せます
ka — か
Also avoid stressing only one syllable too strongly.
Why Does 話せます Mean “Can Speak”?
話せます is the polite potential form of 話す (hanasu), meaning “to speak” or “to talk.”
to speak / to talk
↓
話せる (hanaseru)
can speak / be able to speak
↓
話せます (hanasemasu)
can speak — polite form
日本語を話します。
Nihongo o hanashimasu.
I speak Japanese.
日本語が話せます。
Nihongo ga hanasemasu.
I can speak Japanese.
For many godan verbs ending in す, the ending changes from す to せる:
話す ⇒ 話せる
英語が話せますか vs 英語を話せますか
Both sentences are used in modern Japanese.
Can you speak English?
⇒ Traditional and very common with a potential verb.
英語を話せますか？
Can you speak English?
⇒ Also common in modern conversation.
Potential verbs often use が to mark the thing someone is able to do. However, を is also frequently heard, especially when the speaker treats English as the object of “speaking.”
It is natural, easy to analyze grammatically, and matches the common pattern ～ができます.
英語が話せますか vs 英語は話せますか
は makes English the topic and can create a contrast with other languages or abilities.
Can you speak English?
⇒ Neutral focus on ability.
英語は話せますか？
As for English, can you speak it?
⇒ English is the topic; may imply contrast with another language.
日本語は話せませんが、英語は話せます。
Nihongo wa hanasemasen ga, eigo wa hanasemasu.
I cannot speak Japanese, but I can speak English.
For travelers, すみません、英語は話せますか？ often sounds smooth and polite.
話せますか vs 話しますか: What Is the Difference?
This is an important beginner distinction.
Can you speak? / Are you able to speak?
話しますか (hanashimasu ka)
Do you speak? / Will you speak? / Are you going to speak?
Often asks about habit, choice, or future action.
英語が話せますか？
Can you speak English?
⇒ Asking about ability.
会議で英語を話しますか？
Kaigi de eigo o hanashimasu ka?
Will you speak English at the meeting?
⇒ Asking what language the person will use.
話せますか asks about ability. That is usually what a traveler wants to know.
Natural Ways to Ask “Do You Speak English?” in Japanese
1. Standard and Polite
英語が話せますか？
Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?
Can you speak English?
2. Softer for a Stranger
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Sumimasen, eigo wa hanasemasu ka?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
3. Asking Whether English Is Understood
英語は分かりますか？
Eigo wa wakarimasu ka?
Do you understand English?
4. Asking Whether Communication in English Is Possible
英語は通じますか？
Eigo wa tsūjimasu ka?
Can we communicate in English? / Is English understood here?
5. Asking Permission to Speak English
英語で話してもいいですか？
Eigo de hanashite mo ii desu ka?
May I speak in English?
6. Very Polite Service Expression
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
Eigo o hanaseru kata wa irasshaimasu ka?
Is there anyone who can speak English?
すみません、英語は話せますか？
If that employee cannot speak English, ask:
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
英語が話せますか vs 英語が分かりますか
Can you speak English?
⇒ Focuses on speaking ability.
英語が分かりますか？
Do you understand English?
⇒ Focuses on comprehension.
英語は少し分かりますが、話せません。
Eigo wa sukoshi wakarimasu ga, hanasemasen.
I understand a little English, but I cannot speak it.
That is why 話せますか and 分かりますか are not always interchangeable.
英語が話せますか vs 英語ができますか
英語ができますか is also used to ask whether someone can use English.
Can you speak English?
⇒ Specifically asks about speaking.
英語ができますか？
Can you use English? / Are you proficient in English?
⇒ Broader and may include speaking, reading, writing, or general ability.
When you need spoken help immediately, 英語が話せますか is clearer.
Common Answers to 英語が話せますか
Yes, I can.
はい、少し話せます。
Yes, I can speak a little.
少しだけです。
Only a little.
簡単な英語なら話せます。
I can speak simple English.
あまり話せません。
I cannot speak it very well.
すみません、話せません。
Sorry, I cannot speak it.
英語は分かりますが、話せません。
I understand English, but I cannot speak it.
英語を話せる人を呼びます。
I will call someone who can speak English.
So 少し話せます means “I can speak a little.”
How to Say “I Speak English” in Japanese
I Can Speak English
英語が話せます。
Eigo ga hanasemasu.
I can speak English.
I Speak a Little English
英語が少し話せます。
Eigo ga sukoshi hanasemasu.
I can speak a little English.
I Cannot Speak English
英語が話せません。
Eigo ga hanasemasen.
I cannot speak English.
I Do Not Speak English Well
英語があまり話せません。
Eigo ga amari hanasemasen.
I cannot speak English very well.
My English Is Not Very Good
英語はあまり得意ではありません。
Eigo wa amari tokui dewa arimasen.
I am not very good at English.
Travel Dialogues Using 英語が話せますか
At a Train Station
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Staff: はい、少し話せます。
Yes, I can speak a little.
Traveler: 新宿に行きたいです。
I want to go to Shinjuku.
At a Hotel
Is there anyone who can speak English?
Staff: はい、少々お待ちください。
Yes, please wait a moment.
Guest: ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
At a Restaurant
Excuse me, do you have an English menu?
Staff: はい、あります。
Yes, we do.
When Communication Is Difficult
Sorry, I do not understand Japanese. Do you speak English?
Staff: すみません、英語は話せません。
Sorry, I cannot speak English.
Traveler: 翻訳アプリを使ってもいいですか？
May I use a translation app?
Learn more: Wakarimasen Meaning and Usage
Useful Follow-Up Phrases
Please speak slowly.
もう一度お願いします。
Please say it one more time.
書いてください。
Please write it down.
英語のメニューはありますか？
Do you have an English menu?
英語の案内はありますか？
Is there information in English?
翻訳アプリを使ってもいいですか？
May I use a translation app?
この地図を見てください。
Please look at this map.
You can also ask:
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
Is It Polite to Ask 英語が話せますか?
Yes. The sentence is grammatically polite because it uses 話せます.
However, adding すみません makes the approach softer, especially with strangers.
Can you speak English?
⇒ Polite and correct.
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Excuse me, do you speak English?
⇒ Softer and more natural when approaching a stranger.
A friendly tone and すみません help. You can also ask whether English materials are available instead of immediately requesting conversation.
Casual Ways to Ask
Can you speak English?
英語分かる？
Do you understand English?
英語できる？
Can you use/speak English?
With employees or strangers, use 英語は話せますか？
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using 話しますか When Asking About Ability
Do/will you speak English?
May ask about habit or what language someone will use.
○ 英語が話せますか？
Can you speak English?
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Potential Form
話せます, not 話します, clearly expresses the ability to speak.
Mistake 3: Saying 英語できますか Without Context
英語ができますか is understandable and natural, but broader. Use 話せますか when spoken communication is what you need.
Mistake 4: Assuming 話せる Means Fluent
A person may answer 少し話せます even if they know only basic English. The phrase asks about ability, not necessarily fluency.
Mistake 5: Speaking Rapid English Immediately After Asking
Even when someone says 少し話せます, speak slowly and use simple sentences.
Short sentences, clear pronunciation, and visual information make communication easier.
Natural Example Sentences
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Sumimasen, eigo wa hanasemasu ka?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
Eigo o hanaseru kata wa irasshaimasu ka?
Is there anyone who can speak English?
英語が少し話せます。
Eigo ga sukoshi hanasemasu.
I can speak a little English.
英語は分かりますが、話せません。
Eigo wa wakarimasu ga, hanasemasen.
I understand English, but I cannot speak it.
英語があまり話せません。
Eigo ga amari hanasemasen.
I cannot speak English very well.
簡単な英語なら話せます。
Kantan na eigo nara hanasemasu.
I can speak simple English.
英語で話してもいいですか？
Eigo de hanashite mo ii desu ka?
May I speak in English?
英語のメニューはありますか？
Eigo no menyū wa arimasu ka?
Do you have an English menu?
英語の案内をもらえますか？
Eigo no annai o moraemasu ka?
Could I get information in English?
英語が通じる病院を探しています。
Eigo ga tsūjiru byōin o sagashite imasu.
I am looking for a hospital where English is understood.
もう少しゆっくり話してもらえますか？
Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite moraemasu ka?
Could you speak a little more slowly?
英語で書いてもらえますか？
Eigo de kaite moraemasu ka?
Could you write it in English?
FAQ About 英語が話せますか
How do you say “Do you speak English?” in Japanese?
Say 英語が話せますか？ (Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?). A softer version for strangers is すみません、英語は話せますか？
What does eigo ga hanasemasu ka mean?
It means “Can you speak English?” or “Do you speak English?”
Is 英語が話せますか polite?
Yes. 話せます is polite. Adding すみません makes the approach softer.
What is the difference between 英語が話せますか and 英語を話せますか?
Both are used. が is traditional and common with potential verbs, while を is also frequent in modern Japanese.
What is the difference between 英語が話せますか and 英語は話せますか?
が neutrally focuses on speaking ability. は makes English the topic and may imply contrast with another language.
What is the difference between 話せますか and 話しますか?
話せますか asks whether someone can speak. 話しますか may ask whether someone speaks as a habit or will speak in a particular situation.
How do I say “I speak a little English” in Japanese?
Say 英語が少し話せます (Eigo ga sukoshi hanasemasu).
How do I say “I cannot speak English” in Japanese?
Say 英語が話せません (Eigo ga hanasemasen).
How do I ask whether anyone speaks English?
Say 英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？, meaning “Is there anyone who can speak English?”
How do I ask to speak in English?
Say 英語で話してもいいですか？, meaning “May I speak in English?”
Summary: How to Say “Do You Speak English?” in Japanese
英語が話せますか？
Can you speak English?
● Softer travel version
すみません、英語は話せますか？
Excuse me, do you speak English?
● Asking for someone who speaks English
英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？
Is there anyone who can speak English?
● Asking permission to use English
英語で話してもいいですか？
May I speak in English?
● Understanding vs speaking
英語が分かりますか？ = Do you understand English?
英語が話せますか？ = Can you speak English?
● Basic reply
少し話せます。
I can speak a little.
すみません、英語は話せますか？
It is simple, polite, and useful when you need help in English.