What Does “How do you say…?” Mean?

This phrase is a direct way to ask for a translation of a single word or a short phrase.

• You use it when you know a word in your native language but not in English.
• It helps you learn new vocabulary quickly.

When Do You Use This Phrase?

Use How do you say…? when you need to know an English word.

• It is very useful in a classroom or when speaking with English speakers.
• You can also use it when you are reading and see a picture of something you don’t know the English word for.

For example:

• How do you say “hola” in English?
• How do you say “gracias” in English?
• How do you say “perro” in English?

How Do You Answer “How do you say…?”?

When someone asks you this question, you can answer with It’s… or It’s called…

• Then, you say the English word.

For example:

• Question: How do you say “agua” in English?
  Answer: It’s water.
• Question: How do you say “libro” in English?
  Answer: It’s called a book.

Tips for Clear Pronunciation

• Say each word clearly: How, do, you, say.
• The ‘h’ sound in How is important. It’s like a soft breath.
• The ‘y’ sound in you is like the ‘y’ in ‘yes’.
• Practice saying the full phrase slowly at first, then faster.
• Listen to native speakers and try to copy their rhythm.

Examples

• How do you say “amigo” in English?
• How do you say “manzana” in English?
• It’s apple.
• How do you say “escuela” in English?
• It’s school.
• How do you say “rojo” in English?
• It’s red.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers might forget the word say. They might say, How do you “hola” in English? This is incorrect.

• Remember to always include say: How do you say “hola” in English? (Correct)

Another mistake is not pronouncing the ‘h’ in How. It can sound like Ow do you say…?

• Make sure to make a clear ‘h’ sound at the beginning of How.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase for sentences?

No, How do you say…? is usually for single words or very short phrases. For longer sentences, you might ask What does [this sentence] mean?

Is “How do you say…?” polite?

Yes, it is a very polite and common way to ask for a word.

What if I don’t know the word in my language?

If you don’t know the word, you can point to the object and ask, What’s this in English?

Can I use “What is…?” instead?

Sometimes. For example, What is “casa” in English? is also correct and common. How do you say…? focuses more on the *way* to express it.