When you start learning English, you will hear things you do not understand. This is normal. What matters is knowing what to say at that moment. Here are ten short, polite phrases for A1 learners. Each one has a meaning, two examples and a usage note.
Why it is fine to say you do not understand
Many learners stay quiet, smile and say Yes when they do not understand. This causes problems later. If you politely say you did not understand, the speaker will usually repeat the idea with simpler words and speak more slowly. A polite phrase shows that you care about the conversation. It does not show weakness.
The ten ways
1. I don’t understand.
Meaning: you do not know what the person said. It is the clearest and simplest phrase.
- I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
- I don’t understand this question.
Usage note: use don’t before understand. Do not say I no understand.
2. Sorry?
Meaning: please say that again. Your voice goes up at the end.
- Sorry? Can you say that again?
- Sorry? I didn’t hear you.
Usage note: it is short and works almost everywhere, at work or in the street.
3. Pardon?
Meaning: please repeat that. It is very polite.
- Pardon? I didn’t hear that.
- Pardon? What is your name?
Usage note: Pardon is more common in British English. In American English people often say Excuse me? or Sorry? or What was that?
4. Can you repeat that, please?
Meaning: please say the same words again.
- Can you repeat that, please?
- Can you repeat your phone number, please?
Usage note: do not say Repeat! alone. It sounds like an order. Add Can you and please.
5. Can you speak more slowly, please?
Meaning: please talk at a slower speed.
- Can you speak more slowly, please?
- You speak fast. Can you speak slowly, please?
Usage note: use slowly, not slow. Slow is an adjective. Slowly describes how you speak.
6. What does this word mean?
Meaning: you ask about one word you do not understand.
- What does this word mean?
- What does tomorrow mean?
Usage note: the order is What does + word + mean. Do not say What mean this word?
7. I don’t know this word.
Meaning: you understand the rest, but one word is new.
- I don’t know this word.
- Sorry, I don’t know this word. Can you explain?
Usage note: use know for words. Use understand for sentences and speech.
8. I didn’t catch that.
Meaning: you did not hear the words clearly.
- Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
- I didn’t catch your name.
Usage note: catch here means to hear something. Use it when the speech is fast or the sound is not clear.
9. Can you explain, please?
Meaning: please tell me what it means in a different way.
- Can you explain, please?
- Can you explain this word, please?
Usage note: this asks for an explanation, not only repeating. Use it after you hear the sentence again and still do not understand.
10. I’m not sure I understand.
Meaning: you are not certain that you understand. It is a little softer than I don’t understand.
- I’m not sure I understand.
- I’m not sure I understand the question.
Usage note: it is good in polite discussions because it does not say the other person is wrong.
Common mistakes for Arabic speakers
In Arabic, we can say I do not understand with one word, so learners often copy the same shape in English. Compare the mistake and the correct form:
| Mistake | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I no understand. | I don’t understand. | Present simple negatives need do not or don’t. |
| I am not understand. | I don’t understand. | We do not use am with understand here. |
| Repeat! | Can you repeat that, please? | A bare order sounds rude. |
| What mean this word? | What does this word mean? | The question needs does before the subject. |
| Speak slow, please. | Can you speak slowly, please? | Use the adverb slowly with the verb. |
Which phrase should you choose?
Choose the phrase that fits your problem:
- You did not hear well: Sorry? or Pardon? or I didn’t catch that.
- The speech is too fast: Can you speak more slowly, please?
- You do not know a word: What does this word mean? or I don’t know this word.
- You do not understand the whole idea: I don’t understand. or Can you explain, please?
How to sound polite
Three small things make you sound kind: Sorry at the start, please at the end, and Can you instead of a direct order. A calm voice and a smile also help. On the phone, you can use the same phrases: Sorry, can you repeat that, please?
A short dialogue
Imagine you are in a shop:
- A: Do you need a bag?
- B: Sorry? Can you speak more slowly, please?
- A: Do you need a bag? For your things.
- B: Oh, yes, a bag, please. Thank you.
Notice that B was not afraid. B asked once, politely, and understood quickly.
How to practise
Read the ten phrases aloud every day. Start with only three: I don’t understand, Sorry? and Can you repeat that, please? Then add a new phrase every two days. Practise with a friend: one person says a sentence quickly and the other chooses a good phrase. Repeat until the words come out without thinking.
Quick recap
- Say I don’t understand clearly. Do not say I no understand.
- Use Sorry? and Pardon? when you do not hear.
- Ask for repetition with Can you repeat that, please?
- Ask for a slower speed with slowly.
- Ask about words with What does this word mean?
If you learn these phrases, the conversation will not stop when you do not understand. It will continue, and it will become clearer.