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How to say “Do you speak English?” in Spanish

With a stranger this is almost always the formal version, and the language name stays lowercase.

Quick answer

¿Habla inglés?

the everyday version

¿Hablas inglés?

the alternative — see below for when

Which one to use

¿Habla inglés? is the usted form, which is what you want with shop staff, officials and anyone you have just met.

¿Hablas inglés? is informal, for people your own age in a relaxed setting. Note that inglés is written with a small i in Spanish, unlike English.

All the versions

¿Habla inglés?Do you speak English? — formal.
¿Hablas inglés?Do you speak English? — informal.
¿Alguien habla inglés?Does anyone speak English?
¿Hay alguien que hable inglés?Is there someone who speaks English?
Hablo un poco de español.I speak a little Spanish — useful to add.

Where you are matters

The forms are the same everywhere; in Argentina and Uruguay the informal version is <b>¿hablás inglés?</b>.

Check yourself

You ask a hotel receptionist you have just met. Which form fits?

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