In German
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Meaning: do you speak German? (formal)
Formal or informal? “Sprechen Sie Deutsch?” is formal, for strangers and in service situations. With friends, use “Sprichst du Deutsch?”.
Example sentences
Entschuldigung,sprechenSieDeutsch?
Excuse me, do you speak German?
SprichstduDeutsch?
Do you speak German? (informal)
IchsprechenurwenigDeutsch.
I only speak a little German.
Grammar note
“Deutsch” is the language, so it has no -e. Write “Deutsch”, not “Deutsche”, which means “German” (the person, or the adjective, with an ending).
Common mistake
Don't write “sprechen Sie deutsche”. The language is “Deutsch”, with no -e at the end.
Quick check
Which question means “do you speak German?” formally?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What is the informal way to ask?
“Sprichst du Deutsch?”, with the verb “sprichst” for “du”.
What is the difference between “Deutsch” and “Deutsche”?
“Deutsch” is the language. “Die Deutsche” is a German woman, and “der Deutsche” a German man.