Znajdź nauczycieli angielski
JD Hyomin
Can you speak English?
Hello~
I've thought that 'Do you speak English?' is the right sentence not 'Can you~~'
So I'm wondering natives never say like this sentence "I can speak Korean"
Please answer for me~
Thank you~~
14 paź 2016 14:02
Odpowiedzi · 6
1
Hi Hyomin,
"Do you speak English?" is a more polite way of asking. "Can you speak English?" is asking whether someone is able to speak English, and it is technically correct. However, it can be seen as an insulting way of asking someone, so most people say "Do you speak English?".
14 października 2016
To say "he can speak English well, but doesn't understand it at all" does not make any sense, since "speaking English" implies an facility with the language. However you could say "he can speak in English well, but he can't understand it" is semantically acceptable, since speaking is different than understanding.
In everyday speech, they are often used with the same meaning. However, #1 really refers to habit/custom/everyday routine, while #2 refers to ability. eg
can speak Italian, but I do not speak Italian because I don't know any Italians or ,I can speak Italian, and I do speak Italian because I work in Italy.
14 października 2016
Do you and can you are interchangable really.
I'd normally say "Do you speak....". However both sound ok.
14 października 2016
Hello
14 października 2016
Both mean the same thing. "Do you..." is the most natural.
"Can" is only rude if the tone is hostile. As with so many things, it's based on the context.
14 października 2016
Pokaż więcej
Nadal nie znalazłeś/łaś odpowiedzi?
Napisz swoje pytania i pozwól, aby rodzimi użytkownicy języka ci pomogli!
JD Hyomin
Znajomość języków
angielski, koreański
Język do nauczenia się
angielski
Artykuły, które również mogą ci się spodobać

Speak More Fluently with This Simple Technique
25 głosy poparcia · 4 Komentarze

How to Read and Understand a Business Contract in English
20 głosy poparcia · 3 Komentarze

6 Ways italki Can Help You Succeed in Your School Language Classes
15 głosy poparcia · 9 Komentarze
Więcej artykułów