Question
I’m planning to attend a business meeting in Tokyo, but I’m not confident in my Japanese skills. How do I politely ask, “Do you speak English?” in Japanese to ensure smooth communication during the meeting?
Japango Editor Team
英語（えいご）が話（はな）せますか。
Eego ga hanasemasu ka?
Do you speak English?
This expression is useful when you want to inquire politely if someone can converse in English. The word “eego” means “English,” and “hanasemasu” means “can speak.” Adding “ka” at the end turns it into a question. Remember, being polite and considerate when communicating is important in Japanese business settings.
If someone responds that they do not speak English, you could also learn the phrase “sukoshi hanasemasu” (I can speak a little) to communicate your level of Japanese proficiency.
