Do you know what this says in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French

Spanish (Español)

1. Word Overview

• Native phrase: ¿Sabes lo que dice esto?
• English translation: Do you know what this says?
• Part of speech: Verb phrase + relative clause
• IPA pronunciation: /ˈsaβes lo ke ˈdiθe ˈesto/ (Spain) or /ˈsaβes lo ke ˈdise ˈesto/ (Latin America)

2. Example Sentence

• Spanish: ¿Sabes lo que dice esto en la etiqueta?
• English: “Do you know what this says on the label?”
• Tip: Dice (he/she/it says) refers to the text. The structure uses lo que (“what”).

3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note

You can also hear ¿Sabes qué dice esto? —a shorter form common in informal speech. Both are widely understood.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Speaking prompt: Show a friend some text (e.g., a sign or screen) and ask: ¿Sabes qué dice esto?

Italian (Italiano)

1. Word Overview

• Native phrase: Sai cosa c’è scritto qui?
• English translation: Do you know what is written here?
• Part of speech: Verb phrase + clause
• IPA pronunciation: /sai ˈkɔːza tʃɛ ˈskritto kwi/

2. Example Sentence

• Italian: Sai cosa c’è scritto qui sotto?
• English: “Do you know what is written down here?”
• Tip: C’è scritto literally means “there is written”—a natural way to ask about text.

3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note

Italians often say Sai cosa significa…? for asking meaning rather than literal text, so choose depending on your context.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Writing prompt: Write a note and ask someone: Sai cosa c’è scritto qui?

Portuguese (Português)

1. Word Overview

• Native phrase: Você sabe o que está escrito aqui?
• English translation: Do you know what’s written here?
• Part of speech: Verb phrase + clause
• IPA pronunciation: /voˈse ˈsabi u ki isˈtaː esˈkɾitu aki/

2. Example Sentence

• Portuguese: Você sabe o que está escrito neste aviso?
• English: “Do you know what is written on this notice?”
• Tip: Está escrito is commonly used for asking about printed or written text.

3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note

In Brazil, a more casual version is Sabe o que está escrito aqui? dropping você.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Listening activity: Read a short sign aloud and ask: Você sabe o que está escrito aqui? Record and review your pronunciation.

German (Deutsch)

1. Word Overview

• Native phrase: Weißt du, was hier steht?
• English translation: Do you know what is written here?
• Part of speech: Verb phrase + clause
• IPA pronunciation: /vaɪ̯st du vas hiːɐ̯ ʃteːt/

2. Example Sentence

• German: Weißt du, was hier auf der Tafel steht?
• English: “Do you know what is written here on the board?”
• Tip: Steht (“stands”) refers to words on a sign or board. Weißt du… is standard casual form.

3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note

For formal or unfamiliar people, use Wissen Sie, was hier steht? (Polite “you”).

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Speaking prompt: Look at a written notice and ask aloud: Weißt du, was hier steht?

French (Français)

1. Word Overview

• Native phrase: Sais-tu ce que ça dit ?
• English translation: Do you know what this says?
• Part of speech: Verb phrase + clause
• IPA pronunciation: /sɛ ty sə kə sa di/

2. Example Sentence

• French: Sais-tu ce que ça dit sur l’étiquette ?
• English: “Do you know what this says on the label?”
• Tip: Sais-tu is inversion form—common in informal questions.

3. Mini Grammar/Culture Note

Informal spoken French might use Tu sais ce que ça dit ? (subject-verb normal order). Meaning remains identical.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Writing prompt: Show someone a short note and ask in French: Sais-tu ce que ça dit ?

Multilingual Bonus Comparison

Final Daily Practice Challenge

Choose two languages and:

• Speak: Ask the question while pointing at text (e.g., on a screen, sign, or label).
• Write: Compose your own sign or note and ask: “Do you know what this says?” in each language.

Build confidence by using this practical phrase in real situations