The German verb “to speak” is sprechen. It is a strong verb, so its vowel changes in some present-tense forms, including du sprichst (“you speak”).
speak in German = sprechen, pronounced approximately SHPREKH-en.
How Do You Say speak in German?
Use sprechen as the infinitive “to speak” or “to talk.” Conjugation depends on the subject, and the e changes to i in the second- and third-person singular.
Meaning: speak; to speak
To say “I speak German,” use Ich spreche Deutsch. The verb is sprechen, but the language name Deutsch is used without an article.
Different Ways to Express speak
Recognize the infinitive first, then use its conjugated forms for a subject and common expressions about languages.
1. Sprechen — to speak
sprechen — to speak. This is the dictionary form. It can also mean to talk, depending on context.
2. Ich spreche — I speak
Ich spreche Deutsch. — I speak German.. The first-person singular ending is -e. The language name Deutsch is capitalized because German nouns are capitalized.
3. Du sprichst — you speak
Du sprichst langsam. — You speak slowly.. The stem vowel changes from e to i in the informal singular du form.
4. Sie sprechen — you speak (formal)
Sprechen Sie Englisch? — Do you speak English?. Formal Sie uses the same verb form as the plural. In a question, the verb comes first.
speak in German: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| German | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| sprechen | to speak | Infinitive and dictionary form |
| Ich spreche Deutsch. | I speak German. | Talking about languages |
| Du sprichst langsam. | You speak slowly. | Informal singular |
| Sprechen Sie Englisch? | Do you speak English? | Polite questions |
How to Pronounce sprechen
In sprechen, ch after e is a soft palatal sound, not the throaty sound in acht. The first syllable carries stress. The stem-change forms sprichst and spricht use a short i sound.
Example Sentences Using speak
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: I speak a little German.
Use: Spreche is the first-person singular form.
Meaning: Do you speak Italian?
Use: The informal question uses sprichst with a stem-vowel change.
Meaning: Do you speak French?
Use: This is a polite formal question.
Frequently Asked Questions About speak in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
What is the German infinitive for speak?
It is sprechen (“to speak” or “to talk”).
How do I say “I speak German”?
Say Ich spreche Deutsch.
Why is it du sprichst instead of du sprechest?
Sprechen is a strong verb with a vowel change from e to i in the du and er/sie/es forms.
How do you ask politely “Do you speak English?”
Ask Sprechen Sie Englisch?
How is ch pronounced in sprechen?
It is a soft sound made near the front of the mouth, unlike the throaty ch in acht.
Summary: speak in German
The German verb for “to speak” is sprechen. Say ich spreche for I speak, du sprichst for you speak informally, and Sprechen Sie…? for a polite question.
