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How to Ask Someone to Repeat in English

03 Nov 2026

How to Ask Someone to Repeat in English: 20 Natural Phrases for Real Conversations

Have you ever been speaking English with someone and suddenly realized that you did not understand what they said?

Maybe they spoke too quickly. Perhaps the room was noisy. You may have understood most of the sentence but missed one important word. Or perhaps you simply need to hear the entire sentence again.

This happens to everyone—even fluent English speakers.

The important thing is knowing how to ask someone to repeat in English naturally and politely.

Many English learners know only one expression:

“What?”

Although native speakers sometimes use “What?” with close friends, it can sound abrupt, impatient, or even rude in certain situations. Fortunately, English has many natural alternatives that you can use depending on the situation, your relationship with the speaker, and how much you understood.

In this guide, you will learn 20 natural phrases for asking someone to repeat themselves, from simple everyday expressions to polite professional alternatives. You will also learn when to use each phrase, common mistakes to avoid, how to ask someone to speak more slowly, and what to say when you understood only part of a sentence.

By the end, you will be able to handle these situations confidently instead of pretending that you understood something you actually missed.

Why You May Need Someone to Repeat Something in English

Not understanding someone does not necessarily mean that your English is poor.

Listening is complicated because real conversations are very different from the carefully recorded English used in many language-learning exercises.

People may:

You may also simply become distracted for a moment.

For example:

“I'll send the revised version over sometime after lunch.”

Perhaps you heard:

“I'll send the ______ version over sometime after lunch.”

You do not need the speaker to explain the entire conversation. You simply need them to repeat one word.

Knowing the right clarification phrases makes situations like this much easier.

20 Natural Ways to Ask Someone to Repeat in English

1. “Sorry?”

One of the simplest and most natural expressions is:

“Sorry?”

With rising intonation, it means:

“Could you say that again?”

Example

A: The meeting has been moved to Room 204.
B: Sorry?
A: Room 204.

This expression is common in British English and is also widely understood elsewhere.

It is particularly useful when you missed a short piece of information.

Best for

Remember that your tone matters. Say it gently with rising intonation rather than sounding annoyed.

2. “Sorry, what was that?”

This sounds slightly fuller and often friendlier than simply saying “What?”

Example

A: Marcus said he'll arrive around quarter past six.
B: Sorry, what was that?
A: He'll arrive around 6:15.

It works well when you did not hear the speaker clearly.

You can also use:

“Sorry, what did you say?”

Both are common conversational expressions.

3. “Could you say that again?”

This is one of the most useful phrases for English learners.

“Could you say that again?”

is polite, clear, and appropriate in almost any situation.

Example

A: You'll need to submit the application through the online portal.
B: Could you say that again?
A: Sure. You need to submit it through the online portal.

This expression works with teachers, colleagues, customer-service representatives, strangers, and friends.

If you memorize only a few expressions from this article, this should be one of them.

4. “Can you say that again?”

This has almost the same meaning as:

“Could you say that again?”

However, can usually sounds slightly more casual than could.

Example

A: Let's meet outside the station at seven.
B: Can you say that again?
A: Outside the station at seven.

Use it comfortably with:

In most everyday situations, it is perfectly polite.

5. “Could you repeat that, please?”

This is a classic polite expression.

Example

A: Your reference number is 58374.
B: Could you repeat that, please?
A: Certainly. Five-eight-three-seven-four.

This phrase is especially useful when someone gives you important information such as:

Adding “please” makes the request slightly more formal.

6. “Would you mind repeating that?”

This is more polite and slightly more formal.

Example

Employee: The final report should include the updated financial figures.
You: Would you mind repeating that?
Employee: Of course. The final report should include the updated figures.

You may hear this expression in workplaces, meetings, interviews, or formal conversations.

A longer version is:

“Would you mind repeating that, please?”

However, in normal conversation, the shorter version is usually enough.

7. “I didn't catch that.”

This is an extremely natural expression.

“I didn't catch that” means:

“I didn't hear or understand what you just said.”

Example

A: I'll meet you by the west entrance.
B: Sorry, I didn't catch that.
A: The west entrance.

You can also say:

“I didn't quite catch that.”

Adding quite makes the expression softer.

This is particularly useful because it does not directly suggest that the other person spoke badly. You are simply saying that you missed the information.

8. “I didn't catch the last part.”

Sometimes repeating the entire sentence is unnecessary.

If you understood the beginning but missed the ending, say:

“I didn't catch the last part.”

Example

A: The workshop begins at nine, but registration opens at eight thirty.
B: Sorry, I didn't catch the last part.
A: Registration opens at eight thirty.

This makes conversations more efficient because the speaker knows exactly what information you need repeated.

9. “I missed that.”

This is short, casual, and natural.

Example

A: Then turn left immediately after the pharmacy.
B: Sorry, I missed that.
A: Turn left after the pharmacy.

It is common in informal conversations.

You can soften it with:

“Sorry, I missed that.”

This works particularly well when you were temporarily distracted.

10. “Could you run that by me again?”

This is a more conversational expression.

“Could you run that by me again?”

usually means:

“Could you explain or tell me that again?”

Example

A: First we contact the supplier, then we update the order, and finally we notify the customer.
B: Could you run that by me again?
A: Sure. First, contact the supplier...

This phrase is especially useful when someone has explained:

It usually refers to more than simply not hearing a word. You may have heard the speaker but need the information explained again.

11. “Come again?”

“Come again?” is an informal expression meaning:

“Could you repeat that?”

Example

A: Apparently we're leaving at five tomorrow morning.
B: Come again?
A: Five in the morning.

It is commonly used when something is:

Because it is informal, it is usually better with people you already know rather than during highly formal conversations.

12. “Pardon?”

“Pardon?” is another short way of asking someone to repeat something.

Example

A: Your appointment is at eleven forty-five.
B: Pardon?
A: Eleven forty-five.

Some speakers use it frequently, while others prefer “Sorry?” or “Could you say that again?”

A more formal version is:

“Pardon me?”

However, remember that “pardon me” can also be used for other purposes, such as apologizing or getting someone's attention. Context tells the listener what you mean.

13. “Could you repeat the last thing you said?”

This expression is useful when you need a specific part repeated.

Example

A: We'll review the proposal today, send our comments tomorrow, and make the final decision on Friday.
B: Could you repeat the last thing you said?
A: We'll make the final decision on Friday.

This is more precise than simply asking:

“Could you repeat that?”

Precision helps keep conversations natural.

14. “What did you say after...?”

If you understood most of the sentence, identify exactly where you became confused.

For example:

“What did you say after ‘the meeting’?”

Example

A: After the meeting, we're going directly to the client's office.
B: Sorry, what did you say after “the meeting”?
A: We're going directly to the client's office.

This is an excellent listening strategy for English learners because you do not force the other person to repeat information you already understood.

15. “Did you say...?”

Sometimes you think you heard something correctly but want confirmation.

Instead of asking the speaker to repeat everything, check your understanding.

Example

A: The train leaves at thirteen fifty.
B: Did you say 13:50?
A: Yes.

Another example:

A: Send the documents to Daniel.
B: Did you say Daniel?
A: Yes, Daniel.

This technique is extremely useful with:

It shows active listening.

16. “Sorry, did you say Tuesday or Thursday?”

Sometimes you heard two possible words and simply need clarification.

Example

A: We'll hold the interview on Thursday.
B: Sorry, did you say Tuesday or Thursday?
A: Thursday.

This is often better than asking the speaker to repeat the entire sentence.

Other examples include:

“Did you say fifteen or fifty?”

“Did you say 2026 or 2027?”

“Did you mean the first floor or the third floor?”

These clarification questions are especially important when misunderstanding could cause a practical problem.

17. “Could you speak a little more slowly?”

Sometimes hearing the sentence again will not solve the problem because the speaker is talking too quickly.

In that case, ask:

“Could you speak a little more slowly?”

Example

A: Soonceyoureachtheintersectiontakethesecondexitand—
B: Sorry, could you speak a little more slowly?
A: Of course. Once you reach the intersection...

Notice the word “a little.”

It softens the request.

Instead of:

“Speak slowly.”

which can sound like a command, use:

“Could you speak a little more slowly, please?”

18. “Could you say that a little more slowly?”

This combines two useful requests:

  1. repeat what you said,

  2. say it more slowly.

Example

A: Your temporary password is capital R, lowercase e, seven, hyphen, Q...
B: Could you say that a little more slowly, please?
A: Sure. Capital R...

This is ideal when someone is giving complicated information.

19. “Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you explain that again?”

Sometimes you heard every word but still did not understand the meaning.

That is a different problem.

Instead of simply asking for repetition, ask for an explanation.

Example

Teacher: The verb functions as a past participle in this construction.
Student: Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you explain that again?
Teacher: Of course. Let's look at an example.

This distinction is important.

If the problem is hearing, request repetition.

If the problem is meaning, request explanation or clarification.

20. “Could you rephrase that?”

Sometimes repeating the same sentence does not help.

In that situation, ask the speaker to express the idea differently:

“Could you rephrase that?”

Example

A: We need to establish a more sustainable framework for implementation.
B: Could you rephrase that?
A: Sure. We need a system that will continue working well in the long term.

Other useful alternatives include:

“Could you explain that in a different way?”

or:

“What do you mean by that?”

These expressions are particularly valuable for intermediate and advanced English learners.

Which Phrase Should You Use?

There is no single phrase that works best in every situation.

Your choice depends on what went wrong.

If You Simply Did Not Hear

Use:

If the Person Is Speaking Too Fast

Use:

If You Missed Only One Part

Use:

If You Want to Confirm What You Heard

Use:

If You Heard the Words but Did Not Understand the Meaning

Use:

Learning these categories is more useful than memorizing 20 disconnected sentences.

Formal vs. Informal Ways to Ask Someone to Repeat

English changes according to the relationship between speakers.

You probably would not speak to your manager exactly as you speak to your best friend.

Informal Expressions

With friends and people you know well, you might hear:

“Sorry?”

“What was that?”

“Say that again?”

“Come again?”

“What did you say?”

These are normal in casual conversation.

Neutral Expressions

These work in almost every situation:

“Could you say that again?”

“Sorry, I didn't catch that.”

“Could you repeat that, please?”

“Could you say that a little more slowly?”

If you are unsure which level of formality you need, choose one of these.

More Polite or Professional Expressions

In professional situations, you might say:

“Would you mind repeating that?”

“I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it, please?”

“Would you mind saying that again a little more slowly?”

“Could you clarify what you mean by that?”

You do not need to make every sentence extremely formal. Often a simple, polite sentence sounds more natural than an unnecessarily complicated one.

How to Ask Someone to Repeat Without Sounding Rude

Grammar is only one part of communication.

Tone, facial expression, and word choice also influence how your request sounds.

Compare these:

“WHAT?”

and:

“Sorry, could you say that again?”

The second version clearly sounds more cooperative.

Here are several strategies.

Start With “Sorry”

A short “Sorry” softens your request.

For example:

“Sorry, could you repeat that?”

You are not necessarily admitting that you did something wrong. In this context, “sorry” functions as a polite conversational marker.

Use Could Instead of Commands

Compare:

“Repeat that.”

with:

“Could you repeat that?”

The first sounds like an instruction.

The second sounds like a request.

Add “Please” When Appropriate

You can say:

“Could you repeat that, please?”

However, you do not need to add “please” to every request. Expressions such as “Could you...” are already polite in many situations.

Explain the Problem Briefly

When necessary, explain why you need repetition:

“Sorry, there's a lot of background noise. Could you say that again?”

or:

“Sorry, the connection cut out for a second.”

This is particularly useful during phone calls and online meetings.

Asking Someone to Repeat on the Phone

Phone conversations can be particularly difficult for English learners because you cannot see the speaker's face or body language.

Useful phrases include:

“Sorry, I didn't catch that.”

“The connection is breaking up. Could you repeat that?”

“Could you say the number again, please?”

“Could you spell that for me?”

“Did you say fifteen or fifty?”

When dealing with important information, repeat it back.

For example:

Caller: Your appointment is Friday at 3:30.
You: Friday at 3:30, correct?
Caller: That's correct.

This simple confirmation can prevent misunderstandings.

Asking Someone to Repeat in a Meeting or at Work

Professional environments sometimes make English learners nervous because they worry that asking someone to repeat something will make them appear less capable.

Usually, pretending to understand important information is far riskier than requesting clarification.

Imagine your manager says:

“Please submit the revised report before the client review.”

You are unsure whether they said before or after the client review.

Instead of guessing, ask:

“Just to clarify, should I submit the revised report before the client review?”

This sounds professional because you are confirming an important detail.

Other useful workplace phrases include:

“Could you go over that last point again?”

“Could you clarify what you mean by...?”

“Just to make sure I understood correctly, are you saying that...?”

“Would you mind repeating the deadline?”

“Could you run through those steps again?”

Good communication includes checking important information.

How to Ask a Teacher to Repeat Something

Students often hesitate to interrupt teachers, but asking questions is an important part of learning.

You can say:

“Could you repeat that example, please?”

“Could you explain that part again?”

“I understood the first part, but could you go over the last part again?”

“What does ___ mean?”

“Could you give another example?”

The last phrase is particularly useful when repetition alone is not enough.

Sometimes hearing the same definition twice does not help, but seeing a new example makes the meaning clear.

What to Say When You Don't Understand a Word

Suppose someone says:

“The results were inconclusive.”

You heard the sentence clearly, but you do not know the word inconclusive.

Do not simply ask:

“Can you repeat?”

Repeating the sentence may not solve your problem.

Instead, say:

“What does ‘inconclusive’ mean?”

or:

“Sorry, what do you mean by ‘inconclusive’?”

or:

“Could you explain that word?”

If you are unsure what word you heard, you could say:

“What was the word you used after ‘results were’?”

This helps the speaker identify the exact problem.

Why Native English Speakers Sometimes Ask for Repetition Too

English learners sometimes assume that fluent speakers understand every word immediately.

They do not.

People regularly ask one another to repeat themselves because of:

This means asking for repetition is not something to feel embarrassed about.

The goal of conversation is successful communication—not pretending that every sound was understood perfectly.

Strong communicators often clarify information rather than guessing.

Common Mistakes English Learners Make

Mistake 1: Pretending You Understood

Someone explains something and you respond:

“Yes, yes.”

But you actually have no idea what they said.

This can create larger problems later.

Instead, say:

“Sorry, I didn't catch the last part.”

Clarification usually takes only a few seconds.

Mistake 2: Saying Only “What?”

“What?” is grammatically acceptable and native speakers certainly use it.

However, tone and context matter.

A sharp:

“WHAT?”

can sound irritated.

For learners, safer alternatives include:

“Sorry?”

or:

“Could you say that again?”

Mistake 3: Saying “Repeat Again”

You may hear learners say:

“Please repeat again.”

Because repeat already means “say again,” the word again is often unnecessary.

More natural options are:

“Could you repeat that?”

or:

“Could you say that again?”

Mistake 4: Saying “Can You Repeat Again Please?”

People will understand this, but a more natural version is:

“Could you repeat that, please?”

Keep the sentence simple.

Mistake 5: Asking for the Entire Sentence When You Missed One Word

Suppose you heard:

“We'll meet outside the library at six.”

but only missed the location.

Instead of asking the speaker to repeat everything, say:

“Sorry, where did you say we should meet?”

This is more efficient and demonstrates that you understood most of the message.

Mistake 6: Repeating the Same Request When Repetition Is Not Helping

Imagine someone repeats a sentence three times and you still do not understand it.

Do not keep saying:

“Again, please.”

Change your strategy.

Ask:

“Could you say that in a different way?”

or:

“Could you give me an example?”

or:

“What does ___ mean?”

Good communication involves changing strategies when necessary.

The Difference Between Repeat, Explain, Clarify, and Rephrase

These words are related but not identical.

Repeat

To repeat means to say the same thing again.

“Could you repeat the address?”

The speaker gives the address again.

Explain

To explain means to make something easier to understand.

“Could you explain how this works?”

The speaker provides more information.

Clarify

To clarify means to make something clearer or remove confusion.

“Could you clarify what you mean by ‘urgent’?”

The speaker makes the intended meaning more precise.

Rephrase

To rephrase means to express the same idea using different words.

“Could you rephrase that?”

The speaker communicates the same idea differently.

Knowing the difference helps you ask for exactly what you need.

How to Handle Fast English Speakers

One of the most common problems for English learners is fast speech.

In natural English, words often seem to blend together.

Instead of becoming frustrated, use a clear request:

“Sorry, could you speak a little more slowly?”

If you understood part of the sentence, be specific:

“I understood the first part, but could you repeat the last sentence more slowly?”

If the information contains difficult names or numbers, ask the speaker to break it down:

“Could you give me the number one digit at a time?”

or:

“Could you spell the name for me?”

This turns a difficult listening situation into a manageable one.

A Simple 4-Step Strategy When You Don't Understand

When you miss something in English, use this process.

Step 1: Tell the Speaker You Missed Something

Say:

“Sorry, I didn't catch that.”

Step 2: Identify the Problem

Was the speech too fast?

Did you miss one word?

Do you not understand the meaning?

Step 3: Ask a Specific Question

For example:

“Could you repeat the number?”

“Could you speak more slowly?”

“What does ‘deadline’ mean?”

“Did you say Tuesday?”

Step 4: Confirm Important Information

Say:

“So the appointment is Tuesday at 2 p.m., correct?”

This final step is especially important with dates, instructions, money, addresses, schedules, and work tasks.

Practice Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Everyday Conversation

A: We're going to Sam's place after dinner.
B: Sorry, I didn't catch that. Where are we going?
A: Sam's place.
B: Got it.

Dialogue 2: At Work

Manager: Please send the revised proposal to the client before noon.
Employee: Sorry, could you repeat the deadline?
Manager: Before noon.
Employee: Before noon. Got it.

Dialogue 3: On the Phone

Agent: Your confirmation number is BQ7184.
Customer: Could you say that a little more slowly, please?
Agent: Certainly. B-Q-7-1-8-4.
Customer: B-Q-7-1-8-4, correct?
Agent: Correct.

Dialogue 4: English Class

Teacher: “Been” functions as the past participle of “be.”
Student: Sorry, could you explain that again with an example?
Teacher: Sure. For example, “I have been there before.”

Dialogue 5: A Noisy Place

A: I'll meet you near the main entrance.
B: Sorry, it's really noisy here. Could you say that again?
A: The main entrance.
B: Got it.

How to Practice These Expressions

Reading these phrases once is not enough. You want them to become automatic.

Choose five phrases first:

  1. Sorry?

  2. Could you say that again?

  3. I didn't catch that.

  4. Could you speak a little more slowly?

  5. Did you say ___?

Say each phrase aloud several times.

Then imagine realistic situations.

For example:

Someone gives you a phone number.

Say:

“Could you repeat the number, please?”

Someone speaks quickly.

Say:

“Could you say that a little more slowly?”

Someone mentions a date that you are unsure about.

Say:

“Did you say Thursday?”

When these phrases become automatic, add more advanced expressions such as:

“Could you clarify what you mean?”

and:

“Could you rephrase that?”

Learning in small groups is usually more practical than trying to memorize every expression at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most polite way to ask someone to repeat in English?

A safe and polite expression is:

“Could you repeat that, please?”

You can also say:

“Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you say it again?”

Both expressions work in professional and everyday situations.

2. Is saying “What?” rude in English?

Not always. Friends and family often say “What?” naturally. However, depending on tone and context, it can sound abrupt or impatient.

When speaking with strangers, teachers, customers, or colleagues, “Sorry?” or “Could you say that again?” is usually safer.

3. Should I say “Can you repeat?” or “Could you repeat?”

Both are correct.

“Can you repeat that?” sounds slightly more casual.

“Could you repeat that?” generally sounds a little softer and more polite.

In most everyday situations, either is acceptable.

4. Is “Please repeat again” correct English?

People will understand it, but repeat already contains the idea of doing something again.

A more natural sentence is:

“Please repeat that.”

Better still:

“Could you repeat that, please?”

You can also say:

“Could you say that again?”

5. How do I ask someone to speak more slowly?

Say:

“Could you speak a little more slowly, please?”

or:

“Could you say that again a little more slowly?”

These sound more natural and polite than simply saying:

“Speak slowly.”

6. What should I say if I understand most of the sentence but miss one part?

Identify the part you missed.

For example:

“Sorry, I didn't catch the last part.”

“What did you say after ‘Friday’?”

“Did you say eight or eighteen?”

Being specific prevents unnecessary repetition.

7. What if someone repeats the sentence and I still don't understand?

Ask them to explain or rephrase it.

Try:

“Could you explain that in a different way?”

“Could you rephrase that?”

“What do you mean by ___?”

“Could you give me an example?”

Repeating the exact same sentence may not help if the problem is vocabulary or meaning.

8. How can I politely ask someone to repeat their name?

You can say:

“Sorry, could you say your name again?”

If the name is unfamiliar, ask:

“Could you spell that for me, please?”

This is completely normal and is especially useful on phone calls.

9. How can I ask someone to repeat something in a business meeting?

Useful professional expressions include:

“Could you go over that point again?”

“Would you mind repeating the last part?”

“Could you clarify what you mean by that?”

or:

“Just to make sure I understood correctly, are you saying that...?”

The final expression is particularly useful when you need to confirm important decisions or instructions.

10. What is the most natural phrase for English learners to memorize?

A highly useful phrase is:

“Sorry, could you say that again?”

It is simple, polite, natural, and suitable for almost every everyday situation.

After that, learn:

“I didn't catch that.”

“Could you speak a little more slowly?”

and:

“Did you say ___?”

Together, these phrases cover most situations in which you need clarification.

Conclusion: Asking Someone to Repeat Is a Communication Skill

Not understanding every sentence immediately is a normal part of real communication.

Instead of pretending that you understood, learn how to ask for the information you need.

Start with a few reliable expressions:

“Sorry, could you say that again?”

“I didn't catch that.”

“Could you repeat the last part?”

“Could you speak a little more slowly?”

“Did you say ___?”

“Could you rephrase that?”

The key is choosing the phrase that matches the problem.

If you did not hear something, ask for repetition.

If the speaker is too fast, ask them to slow down.

If you missed one detail, ask about that detail.

If you heard the words but did not understand the meaning, ask for an explanation or rephrasing.

Most importantly, do not feel embarrassed about asking.

The purpose of speaking English is not to understand every word perfectly on the first attempt. The purpose is to communicate successfully.

Learning how to ask someone to repeat in English gives you a simple but powerful tool for keeping conversations moving, avoiding misunderstandings, and becoming a more confident English speaker.

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