最初、彼は全然英語が話せなかった。

最初、彼は全然英語が話せなかった。

At first, he could not speak English at all.

最初(さいしょ)、彼(かれ)は全然(ぜんぜん)英語(えいご)が話(はな)せなかった。

Saisho, kare wa zenzen eigo ga hanasenakatta.

最初 (さいしょ)

beginning; outset; first; onset

彼 (かれ)

he; him; his; boyfriend

は (は)

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

全然 (ぜんぜん)

not at all (with neg. verb); wholly; entirely; completely

英語 (えいご)

English (language)

が (が)

indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; still; and

話せる (はなせる)

to be able to speak; to be able to talk; to be understanding; to be sensible

Readings: サイ、シュ、もっと.も、つま

Meanings: utmost, most, extreme

Readings: ショ、はじ.め、はじ.めて、はつ、はつ-、うい-、 -そ.める、 -ぞ.め

Meanings: first time, beginning

Readings: ヒ、かれ、かの、か.の

Meanings: he, that, the

Readings: ゼン、まった.く、すべ.て

Meanings: whole, entire, all, complete, fulfill

Readings: ゼン、ネン、しか、しか.り、しか.し、さ

Meanings: sort of thing, so, if so, in that case, well

Readings: エイ、はなぶさ

Meanings: England, English, hero, outstanding, calyx

Readings: ゴ、かた.る、かた.らう

Meanings: word, speech, language

Readings: ワ、はな.す、はなし

Meanings: tale, talk