Speaking: Interactive Communication A2 - Lesson 2: Asking for Repetition/Clarification (e.g., "Sorry?")

Speaking: Interactive Communication A2

Asking for Repetition & Clarification

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use polite phrases to ask someone to repeat themselves or to clarify the meaning of a word you don't understand.

Conversation Scenario 💬

It's normal to not understand everything in a conversation. Good communicators know how to solve this problem politely without stopping the conversation.

Tourist: Excuse me, can you tell me where the nearest cashpoint is?

You: Sorry? Could you say that again, please?

Tourist: Yes. Where is the nearest cashpoint?

You: Ah. I'm sorry, what does "cashpoint" mean?

Tourist: Oh, it's another word for an ATM. A machine to get money.

You: I see! Thank you. The nearest ATM is on Street 2.

Tourist: Great, thank you so much!

Your Communication Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

Choose the right phrase depending on your problem. Click 🔊 to hear how to say them.

Problem: You didn't HEAR 👂

The speaker was too quiet, too fast, or it was noisy.

• Sorry? / Pardon?
• Could you say that again, please?
• Could you speak more slowly, please?

Problem: You didn't UNDERSTAND 🧠

You heard the words, but the meaning is unclear.

• I'm sorry, I don't understand.
• What does [word] mean?
• Could you explain [word], please?

Tips for Sounding Polite

🗣️ Use Question Intonation

When you ask for help, your intonation (the 'music' of your voice) is very important. It should sound like a polite question, not a demand.

• "Sorry? ↗" and "Pardon? ↗" must have a rising intonation. Your voice goes up at the end.
• Full questions also often have a rising intonation when asking for repetition: "Could you say that again, please? ↗"

A flat or falling intonation can sound rude in these situations, so try to make your voice go up to sound friendly and unsure!

✅ Add "Please" and "Thank You"

Adding "please" when asking and "thank you" after someone helps makes your request extra polite.

• Could you say that again, please?
• What does 'cashpoint' mean? ... Oh, I see. Thank you!

Practice Solving Problems 🎯

Activity 1: What's the Best Phrase? (Self-Check)

For each situation, choose the best phrase to say. Click "Show Answer" to check.

1. Your friend is talking very fast on the phone and you miss some words.
   Show Answer

   "Sorry, could you speak more slowly, please?" (Focus is on speed)

2. Your teacher says, "Your homework was 'stupendous'!" You don't know the word "stupendous".
   Show Answer

   "I'm sorry, what does 'stupendous' mean?" or "Could you explain 'stupendous', please?"

3. You are talking to someone at a noisy market and you don't hear their last sentence.
   Show Answer

   "Sorry? Could you say that again, please?" or simply "Pardon?" (Focus is on not hearing due to noise)

4. Someone uses the word "commute" and you are not sure what it means in this context.
   Show Answer

   "Sorry, what does 'commute' mean?"

Activity 2: Role-Play

Work with a partner or read both parts yourself. Click 🔊 to hear the lines.

Student A: Read this sentence to your partner: "I think the infrastructure in Siem Reap is improving."

Student B: Your job is to ask for clarification about the word "infrastructure". Use a phrase like "What does..." or "Could you explain...".

(Example response for B: "Sorry, what does infrastructure mean?")

Student A: Explain simply: "It means things like roads, bridges, and electricity."

Student B: Say: "Ah, I see. Thank you."

Key Phrases for Reference (Click 🔊)

• Sorry? / Pardon? | សុំទោស?
  A quick, polite way to show you didn't hear something. (Use rising ↗ intonation)
• Could you say that again, please? | តើអ្នកអាចនិយាយម្តងទៀតបានទេ?
  Asks someone to repeat exactly what they said.
• Could you speak more slowly, please? | តើអ្នកអាចនិយាយយឺតជាងនេះបានទេ?
  Use this if the person is speaking too fast.
• I'm sorry, I don't understand. | សុំទោស, ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេ
  Clearly states you have a problem understanding the meaning.
• What does [word] mean? | តើ [ពាក្យ] មានន័យដូចម្តេច?
  The best question to ask when you hear a new word. (Replace [word] with the actual word).
• Could you explain [word], please? | តើអ្នកអាចពន្យល់ [ពាក្យ] បានទេ?
  Another polite way to ask for the meaning of a word or idea.

Your Communication Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to be brave when you don't understand something in English.

Do not just nod and smile if you are confused! Use one of the phrases from this lesson to politely solve the problem. This shows you are an active and confident communicator!