Learn Swedish: Kan du prata svenska? - Can you speak Swedish?

Because it comes after kan. Kan is a modal verb (a helper verb). When you use a modal verb in Swedish, the main verb that follows it must be in its basic dictionary form, called the infinitive. So it is always kan prata (can speak), never kan pratar.

How do we form a question like this in Swedish?

To ask a yes/no question, you simply put the verb at the very front of the sentence. The statement 'You can speak Swedish' is Du kan prata svenska. By swapping the verb (kan) and the subject (du), it becomes the question Kan du prata svenska?.

Why isn't the word svenska capitalized?

In English, we always capitalize languages (Swedish, English, etc.). But in Swedish, words for languages and nationalities are always written with lowercase letters, so it is just svenska.

Can I use tala instead of prata?

Yes! Both prata and tala mean to speak or talk. Prata is very common in everyday casual conversation (like 'talk' or 'chat'), while tala is slightly more formal (like 'speak'). Either one is perfectly fine to use here.