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"Hable" is a form of "hablar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to speak". "Habla español" is a form of "habla español", a phrase which is often translated as "he speaks Spanish". Learn more about the difference between "hable" and "habla español" below.
hablar(
ah
-
blahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to discuss
Eso tienes que hablarlo directamente con el director.You need to discuss that directly with the principal.
b. to say
¿Verdaderamente no tienes nada de qué hablarme?You really don't have anything to say to me?
8. (to call) (Argentina) (El Salvador) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Argentina
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to phone
Ahora que tienes su número, ¿le vas a hablar?Now that you have her number, are you going to phone her?
hablarse
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
b. to talk to each other
Deberían hablarse con más frecuencia para que no surja este tipo de problema.They should talk to each other more often to avoid this type of issue coming up.
e. to be on speaking terms
Los primos no se hablan después de la pelea sobre la herencia.The cousins aren't on speaking terms after the fight over the inheritance.
habla español(
ah
-
blah
ehs
-
pah
-
nyohl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he speaks Spanish (masculine)
Uwe no habla inglés, pero habla español.Uwe doesn't speak English, but he speaks Spanish.
b. she speaks Spanish (feminine)
Mi abuela es de Córdoba, y habla español con acento andaluz.My grandmother is from Cordoba, and she speaks Spanish with an Andalusian accent.
c. speaks Spanish
Jane habla español porque vivió cinco años en Madrid.Jane speaks Spanish because she lived in Madrid for five years.
2. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you speak Spanish
Habla español muy bien. - Gracias, mi madre es Mexicana.You speak very good Spanish. - Thanks, my mother is Mexican.
3. (informal) (imperative)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
a. speak in Spanish
Habla español si quieres, todos te entendemos.Speak in Spanish if you want to, we can all understand it.
