How to say "do you speak English?" in Levantine Arabic
بْتِحْكِي إِنْجْلِيزِي؟
bti7ki injleezi?
- Without tashkeel
- بتحكي إنجليزي؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- bt7ki injleezi?
- Literally
- you-speak English?
When to use it
This is the standard, everyday way to ask if someone speaks English across the Levant. Because of the verb root, 'bti7ki' is written and pronounced the same for both masculine and feminine singular, though some speakers might slightly elongate the final vowel for females. It is perfectly acceptable for strangers, but you can add 'law sama7t' (excuse me) to be more polite.
Other ways to say it
to a man or woman
بتحكي إنجليزي؟
bti7ki injleezi?
Do you speak English?
The standard form, identical for addressing a single man or woman.
to a group
بتحكوا إنجليزي؟
bti7ku injleezi?
Do you (plural) speak English?
Used when addressing two or more people.
indirect/polite (to a man)
بتعرف تحكي إنجليزي؟
bti3raf ti7ki injleezi?
Do you know how to speak English?
A slightly softer, less direct way to ask a man.
indirect/polite (to a woman)
بتعرفي تحكي إنجليزي؟
bti3rafi ti7ki injleezi?
Do you know how to speak English?
A slightly softer, less direct way to ask a woman.
How people reply
أيوة، شوي.
aywa, shway.
Yes, a little.
لا، ما بحكي إنجليزي.
la, ma ba7ki injleezi.
No, I don't speak English.
إيه، بحكي منيح.
ee, ba7ki mnee7.
Yes, I speak it well.
In a sentence
لو سمحت، بتحكي إنجليزي؟
law sama7t, bti7ki injleezi?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
أنا ما بحكي عربي منيح، بتحكي إنجليزي؟
ana ma ba7ki 3arabi mnee7, bti7ki injleezi?
I don't speak Arabic well, do you speak English?
بتحكوا إنجليزي ولا أترجم؟
bti7ku injleezi wlla atarjem?
Do you guys speak English or should I translate?