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Thread: how do I say this in Chinese?

  1. #1
    Tubthumper JimmySeal's Avatar
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    how do I say this in Chinese?

    Hello,

    I'm trying to make a phone call to Taiwan and I know that whoever picks up the phone will start speaking Chinese at me so I want to know how to say:

    "May I speak to someone who speaks English?"

    In Chinese. Of course I won't understand what they say in reply, but it will probably accomplish what I need.

    Much obliged. If someone could provide the above phrase in pinyin with tone numbers, that would be great.

  2. #2
    Happy 4321go's Avatar
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    Maybe you can say:"ni hui shuo ying yu ma" That is simple~!

    try it~!

  3. #3
    Junior Member Wong's Avatar
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    ni3你 hui4会 shuo1说 ying1英 yu3语 ma0吗

    but i think you will have more difficulties. anyway, please try.

  4. #4
    Regular Member Supervin's Avatar
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    This would be acceptable and polite:

    Ni2 hao3. Qing3 wen4 ni3 men0 you3 ren3 ke2 yi3 gen1 wo2 jiang3 ying1 yu3 ma0?

    你好,請問你們有人可以跟我講英語嗎?

    (Literally means: "Hello. May I please know whether anyone there can speak English with me?")

  5. #5
    _B ghostpainter's Avatar
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    I don't think that would be a problem. You can speak english directly and simply ask "Can you speak English?"

  6. #6
    Back home maushan3's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Supervin View Post
    This would be acceptable and polite:
    Ni2 hao3. Qing3 wen4 ni3 men0 you3 ren3 ke2 yi3 gen1 wo2 jiang3 ying1 yu3 ma0?
    你D,你Llˆup嗎?
    (Literally means: "Hello. May I please know whether anyone there can speak English with me?")
    If they don't know English, they will probably say. 'Wo bu hui shuo yin yu'. Or they will say 'I speak Engrish' haha no offense.

    Mauricio

  7. #7
    Junior Member MR.BaKa_Na's Avatar
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    you can say" can you speak English ? "
    i think they will know ^^

  8. #8
    Regular Member 龙's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Supervin View Post
    This would be acceptable and polite:
    Ni2 hao3. Qing3 wen4 ni3 men0 you3 ren3 ke2 yi3 gen1 wo2 jiang3 ying1 yu3 ma0?
    你D,你Llˆup嗎?
    (Literally means: "Hello. May I please know whether anyone there can speak English with me?")
    I think this is the best way to ask that....because (please) can makes one feel
    respected,and this also shows you have good manners.....
    -=远强汉,虽远K诛=-

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