How to Say “Can You Speak English?” in Japanese (+Examples) | AlexRockinJapanese (2023)

FAQs

Can you speak English in Japan? ›

With the exception of random romaji interspersed into kanji and kana, English in Japan mainly serves as a way for the Japanese to communicate with foreign visitors, particularly non-Asian foreigners. Do people speak English in Japan? Yes, at least when they have to.

So we could be asking the other person to speak to us in English, rather than another language. Both “Do you speak English?” and “Can you speak English?” are correct. “Could you speak English?” does not ask for ability.

You can express ability or potential if you use the dictionary form of verbs, and attach to it KOTO GA DEKIMASU (can do / Literally, can do the thing of). Let's make a sentence, using KOTO GA DEKIMASU. When you say "I can go," "I" is WATASHI. "To go" is IKIMASU. And its dictionary form is IKU.

" May I request you to speak in English?" "Would you please say that in English?" assuming something has been said. You can be ultra-polite, "May I please request you to speak in English?" You can also be firm and to the point, yet polite - "Please speak in English".

“おなまえは？” (o namae wa?)

The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.

Be able to is possible in all tenses - but "can" is possible only in the present and "could" is possible only in the past for ability. In addition, "can" and "could" have no infinitive form. So we use be able to when we want to use other tenses or the infinitive.

"Can I" is best for semi-formal situations. "Could I" is best for semi-formal situations. "May I" is best for semi-formal situations.

When you want to use we or us before a noun, first decide whether or not the noun is the subject. If it is, use the pronoun we. If it's not, you must be dealing with an object and you'll want to use the other first-person plural pronoun: us.

When you ask somebody to do something in Japanese, you say TE-form verbs and then KUDASAI (Please, or I would ask you to).

What is dakara? ›

だから ( = dakara) : because of that, that's why, therefore. それで ( = sorede) : then, so, as a result, because of that, that's why.

Informal “you”: 君 （kimi）: used by men toward people of lower status. Typically not rude. (not inherently formal/informal, but makes the status hierarchy explicit, and is therefore better suited to formal situations)

So now you know 3 ways to ask to speak with someone else: “Could I have a word with you?” for asking to speak with someone privately, and get them away from a group, “Do you have a moment?” as a way to ask about the other persons availability for a conversation, and the most informal phrase, “Could I talk to you for a ...

If you ask, you could be accused of discriminating against them.” Employers cannot ask if English is a candidate's first language either. If it's relevant to a position, you can ask what other languages a candidate might be able to read, speak or write fluently.

I'M DOING WELL. This is a good answer if you want to be gracious and share something but not get into a heavy discussion. The “thank you for asking” up front warms up your response by showing that you appreciate the question. Saying that you are doing well indicates that you want to offer some insight into your life.

Siri is a Scandinavian feminine given name.

To write your name in Japanese, the easiest way is to find a Katakana letter that corresponds to the pronunciation of your Japanese name. For example, if your name is “Maria,” look for the Katakana character for Ma, which is マ, then the character for Ri, which is リ, and then character for A, which is ア.

Your Name is a Japanese light novel written by Makoto Shinkai. It is a novelization of the animated film of the same name, which was directed by Shinkai.

The Japanese alphabet is really three writing systems that work together. These three systems are called hiragana, katakana and kanji.

Japanese is slightly easier to learn. But, Chinese is much more widely spoken. Both languages have their pros and cons.

Is Korean easier than Japanese? ›

Unlike other East-Asian languages, Korean isn't a tonal language. This means, that the meaning of the word doesn't change, regardless of what your accent is like. This makes learning Korean much easier than Japanese.

The word 'May I' is used to ask for permission. The word 'Can I' is used to refer to possible abilities or to seek permission. It is used as a verb.

The negative form of may is may not + base form. We never use a contraction for this negative. (You might find the word mayn't in a dictionary, but it is not used.)

She can speak several languages. He can swim like a fish.

Usually, CAN is used to give options or explain that you have the ability to do something, while SHOULD is used to give a personal opinion. E.g. You CAN walk home at night, but it's dangerous. So I think you SHOULD get a taxi. English exercise "Can or Should" created by anonyme with The test builder.

Using can in this sense isn't incorrect but it is considered informal. If you want to sound formal, use may. We all know the joke (or, rather, “joke”): a student raises their hand and asks the teacher “Can I go to the bathroom?” and the teacher responds, “I don't know—can you?”

You can run fast. She can ride a bike. We can't speak Japanese. They can't play the guitar.

So the two tricks here are: 1) If the sound is abrupt and chopped, can't, can't, then it's the word can't. And 2) if the vowel sound changes to the schwa, then it's the word can. Kn, kn, I can do it. That's it, and thanks so much for using Rachel's English.

Can't is a contraction of cannot, and as such it's sometimes unsuitable for formal writing. In everyday writing and in speaking, it's ubiquitous: I can't go out until I proofread my paper.

Mine is a possessive pronoun, being a possessive form of I. It can refer to a singular or plural noun, and it can be used as the subject, object, or complement of a verb or the object of a preposition: The glass on the left is mine.

What word is Yamete? ›

Simply put, “yamete” means “stop” or “stop it” in Japanese. However, it is quite informal. It can be used between friends and acquaintances – either for lighthearted situations or even more serious ones.

So, YOMIMASU (to read) becomes YOMIMASEN. To make it into a question, we add the particle KA at the end of a sentence, and say it with a rising intonation. The question form of YOMIMASU (to read) is YOMIMASU KA. Go to this lesson's page. Go back to the list.

In Japanese, the phrase Ganbatte Kudasai (Please Do Your Best) is often used to encourage people to always do their best in everything they do.

Wow! It's like a professional cook! “すごい” (sugoi) is used for people who are very close to you, but when you are not yet close to the person you want to praise or when the person you are talking to is older, you use a honorific expression and say “すごいです” (sugoi desu).

Nandemonai is Japanese for nothing or nothing special You can use it in general conversation to indicate “no big deal” etc.

tabi (plural tabis or tabi) Traditional Japanese ankle socks with a separate section for the big toe.

Kimi is a feminine name of Japanese origin.

If you use “anata” with someone who you know, it is rude. So it's better to use name plus san. You might already have known that Japanese people often leave out 'watashi', because you say, for example, “Hiroko desu.” to mean 'I'm Hiroko.” We leave out “watashi” when it's obvious.

あなた — Anata

Typically written with hiragana, あなた is the standard, polite way to refer to the listener in a conversation, though generally it is only used when you do not know the name of the person you are speaking to.

To speak to someone is usually a one-way thing, perhaps you are giving instructions to a colleague. To speak with someone is more or a conversation or discussion (2-way).

How do you say can we talk? ›

Alternatives to texting someone “we need to talk”

For example: “Hey, when you have a moment would you mind meeting/calling me to discuss [insert topic]?” Another alternative they suggest is, “Hey, I've got a couple of questions about [insert topic] – do you mind giving me a call when you have time to discuss it?”

Sometime (one word, without the S) is also an adverb, but it means “at an unspecified time in the future/past.” We should go out for coffee sometime. He'd like to talk to you sometime.

Sure. As answered elsewhere: you're allowed to ask interviewers questions. It is good to try to make yourself look good when asking such questions.

You'd really be surprised how many people in Japan know English, whether they speak it fluently or simply know key phrases that will help you when you're stuck. This is especially the case in more touristy areas such as Tokyo, Osaka and Harajuku.

Working, living, and traveling in Japan without speaking Japanese is feasible, and there are countless examples of foreigners doing so. Having said that, learning Japanese will put you at an exceptional advantage in both your professional life and daily life.

There are plenty of opportunities in a lot of industries, even if you only speak English. In fact, a lot of foreigners, who've lived here for more than 10 years, can't speak Japanese. There's a catch, though: you're closing a lot of doors if you don't bother to learn at least conversational-level Japanese.

Luckily, Japanese society is very welcoming of foreigners and forgiving should you commit a faux pas.

English-language education in Japan began as early as 1600 with the initial contacts between the Japanese and Europeans. Almost all students graduating from high school in Japan have had several years of English language education; however, many still do not have fluent English conversation abilities.

Despite 40 hours a week being the legal recommendation, many Japanese workers can only dream of having a normal 9-5 workday. In many companies, there is an “untold rule” which expects people to work long (and often unproductive) hours of overtime.

Do doctors in Japan speak English? ›

Most doctors in Japan have a basic understanding of English, which can be quite helpful- whether they can communicate with you fully, is a different matter, though.

The good news is that you don't need to be able to read or write Japanese to enjoy Japan. Japanese people don't expect you to be able to read the Japanese language, and you'll find English-language signage throughout the country.

Tokyo can be a difficult place to acclimate to and get around in unless you already speak Japanese. There aren't a lot of accommodations made for English speakers. And, while you'll certainly meet Japanese citizens who speak English, you can't expect that it will be the norm everywhere you go.

According to the US Department of State, Japanese is one of the hardest languages for English natives to learn. It doesn't have many similarities in structure to English. They estimate it takes 88 weeks of learning, or 2200 hours, to reach fluency.

Unlike some Asian countries, relocating to Japan is not difficult as long as you are prepared. This means having all of the right documents together before you even board your flight to the island nation.

There is a high demand for English teachers in Japan, and high competition. To teach English in Japan, you will need a TEFL certification and a 4-year college degree. You must be a native English speaker without a criminal record. You can expect an average salary of about $2,500 - $3,000 USD per month.

East Asia is one of the best places to teach English abroad with a family. Specifically, countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and China offer wages high enough (and low enough living costs) to raise a child on an English teacher's salary.

Best not greet a Japanese person by kissing or hugging them (unless you know them extremely well). While Westerners often kiss on the cheek by way of greeting, the Japanese are far more comfortable bowing or shaking hands. In addition, public displays of affection are not good manners.

In Japan, tradition and modernity meet in a collision of incredible food, beautiful landscapes and highly urban city areas. Incredibly safe, culturally exciting and full of incredible food – here are six reasons why you should consider international removals to Japan for a new place to live and work.

Tokyo is the fifth safest city in the world per the Safe City Index 2021. For comparison, New York City ranks twelfth, Washington DC fourteenth, and London fifteenth. But that doesn't mean you can throw caution to the wind. It's still a city and all cities have some level of crime.