How to say "Do you speak English?" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "Do you speak English?" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
영어 할 줄 아세요?
yeongeo hal jul aseyo?
Literally: Do you know how to do English?
When to use it
Korean expresses ability as knowing how - 할 줄 알다, literally to know the way of doing. Asking politely matters here, so the polite form is given as the main one.
Polite form
- 영어 하실 수 있으세요?yeongeo hasil su isseuseyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 한국말 조금 해요hangungmal jogeum haeyo= I speak a little KoreanSay this first and watch how much more patient people become.
- 영어 되세요?yeongeo doeseyo?= English, possible?Shorter and very common in shops, though slightly blunt.
In a sentence
- 죄송한데, 영어 할 줄 아세요?joesonghande, yeongeo hal jul aseyo?Sorry, do you speak English?
- 한국말 조금밖에 못 해요.hangungmal jogeumbakke mot haeyo.I only speak a little Korean.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
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