When in Doubt: How to Say “I Don’t Understand” or “Could You Repeat That?” Politely in Spoken English

Q: What are polite ways to say 'I don’t understand' in English?

You can say 'Sorry, I didn’t catch that', 'Could you repeat that, please?', or 'I’m not sure I understand what you mean'. These sound polite and natural in spoken English.

Q: How can I ask someone to repeat politely?

Try 'Would you mind saying that again?' or 'Could you say that one more time, please?'. Adding 'please' or 'would you mind' softens your tone and sounds polite.

Q: What should I avoid saying when I don’t understand?

Avoid saying 'What?' or 'Huh?' in formal or professional settings — they can sound rude. Instead, use polite alternatives like 'Sorry, I didn’t get that'.

Q: Can tone and body language make a difference?

Yes! A friendly tone, smile, and open body language make your request sound polite even if your words are simple. Research shows that over 70% of communication meaning comes from non-verbal cues.

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone spoke too fast or used a word you didn’t know? Don’t worry — it happens to everyone, even native speakers! The good news is that there are many polite and natural ways to say “I don’t understand” or “Could You Repeat That?” in English without sounding rude or awkward.

This guide will help you sound friendly, confident, and fluent when asking someone to repeat or explain something. Let’s dive in!

“English learner asking politely for repetition — how to say ‘I don’t understand’ politely in spoken English conversation.”

Why You Shouldn’t Just Say “What?”

Many learners say “What?” or “Huh?” when they don’t understand. But in English, these can sound a little too direct. Instead, try using polite phrases that show respect and make your conversation smoother.

In fact, studies show that politeness in communication helps create positive social connections and increases the chance of cooperation between speakers^[1].

Why asking for clarification is totally okay

When you hear someone speak fast, or with an accent you’re not used to, you might miss a word or the full meaning. Research on oral language comprehension shows that understanding spoken language involves not just hearing words, but recognising how they link into sentences and context. ^[2] When you don’t understand something immediately—ask! It’s better to clarify than to stay silent and guess wrong.

Also, the idea of conversation being a collaborative process is well-supported: both the speaker and listener share responsibility for understanding. ^[3] So by politely asking, you’re just playing your part in a good, realistic English conversation.

15 Polite Phrases to Say “I Don’t Understand”

1. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

Use this when someone speaks too quickly or unclearly.

Example: “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again?”

2. “Could you repeat that, please?”

This is one of the most common and polite ways to ask for repetition.

Example: “Could you repeat that, please? I want to make sure I understood.”

3. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

Perfect for formal or semi-formal situations when you want clarification.

4. “Would you mind saying that again?”

Soft and polite — great for meetings or when talking to strangers.

5. “Could you say that one more time?”

Natural and friendly — works in everyday spoken English.

6. “I didn’t get that. Can you repeat it?”

Simple and clear, but still polite when said with a friendly tone.

7. “I’m not following you.”

Useful in longer explanations or stories. It shows you’re trying to keep up.

8. “Can you explain that another way?”

Good for when you understood part of it but not everything.

9. “I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

The word “quite” softens the sentence and makes it sound polite.

10. “Could you slow down a little, please?”

Perfect when someone speaks too fast — very common in real conversations.

11. “Sorry, English isn’t my first language. Could you repeat that?”

This honest approach works well when you’re still learning. People appreciate it!

12. “Let me make sure I got that right…”

This phrase lets you confirm information politely.

Example: “Let me make sure I got that right — you said 10 a.m., right?”

13. “I’m a bit confused about that part.”

Shows you’re paying attention but need clarification on something specific.

14. “I didn’t hear you clearly.”

Good for phone or online calls where sound quality isn’t great.

15. “Could you repeat that last part again?”

Use this when you only missed the end of a sentence.

Polite phrases you can use immediately

Here are many ready-to-go phrases. You can choose based on how formal or informal the situation is.

✔ Informal (friends, classmates)

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“Could you say that again, please?”
“What did you say after …?”

✔ Semi-formal (work-colleagues, casual meetings)

“Excuse me, I missed that last part. Could you repeat it?”
“I’m afraid I didn’t quite follow what you meant by …”
“Would you mind saying that again more slowly, please?”

✔ Formal (client meetings, presentations, official settings)

“I’m sorry — I didn’t fully understand that point. Could you clarify?”
“Could you kindly repeat what you said regarding …?”
“Would you mind restating that section? I want to be sure I understand correctly.”

Real-life example dialogues

Let’s look at a few short dialogues so you can practice and feel confident.

Example 1 – In a casual chat

Friend A: “Are you coming to the meet-up at 7 p.m., then we’ll catch the shuttle and head over.”
You: “Sorry, I didn’t catch the shuttle bit — what time do we leave exactly?”

Example 2 – In a meeting at work

Manager: “We’ll pivot the project focus to Q4 after we benchmark the metrics against last year.”
You: “I’m afraid I didn’t quite follow the ‘benchmark the metrics’ part. Could you explain what you mean by benchmark in this context?”

Example 3 – On an English-speaking phone call

Caller: “I’ll send you the documentation by COB, and we can align tomorrow.”
You: “Excuse me — I didn’t catch ‘COB’. Could you say that again, please?”

Why these phrases matter for spoken English fluency

When you ask for clarification, you do several good things at once:

You keep the conversation flowing (instead of freezing or saying “Huh?”).
You show you’re engaged and want to understand — that’s positive.
You avoid mis-understanding which could cause mistakes later.

Research shows that a strong listener role helps conversations succeed. For example, conversation research found that people coordinate meaning by both speaker and listener actions. ^[3] Also, when learners accept that they may not understand every detail at once and still ask clarification, their listening skills improve. ^[4]

Tips & tricks for using these phrases naturally

Pause briefly before you speak. It shows you’re listening, not ignoring.
Use a friendly tone. A gentle phrase like “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that” works well.
Be specific if you missed something: mention the word or phrase you didn’t understand. E.g., “I didn’t catch the word after ‘pivot’.”
Don’t over-apologise. A simple “sorry” is enough — you don’t need to say “My English is so bad…”
Be confident. Asking shows you care about clear communication — that’s a strength, not a weakness.

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are some things many learners fall into — and how to avoid them:

Saying only “What?” – It can sound abrupt or rude. Better: “Sorry, what did you say after…”
Pretending you understood – This may lead to confusion later when you’re asked to act on something you didn’t fully grasp.
Freezing or staying silent – Don’t let the thought “I’ll figure it out later” stop you now. Ask now.
Using too many filler words – Instead of: “Um… Uh… what you said…” go for: “Excuse me — could you repeat that part about …?”

Practice-makes-perfect: Your mini-task

Here’s a simple practice you can try this week:

Choose 2 phrases from the lists above (one informal and one formal).
In your next English-conversation (with a friend, classmate, teacher or colleague), use one of those phrases when you don’t understand something.
After the conversation, reflect: How did it feel? Did you feel more confident? Did it help you stay engaged?

You’ll find that after a few times, these phrases become natural — and you’ll be less worried about “not understanding”. Instead, you’ll see it as part of smart communication.

Wrapping up

In summary: It’s completely normal to not understand something in spoken English. What matters is how you respond. By using polite phrases like “Could you repeat that?” or “I didn’t catch that part”, you keep the conversation on track, you show you’re involved, and you build your confidence. Use the tips above, pick your favorite phrases, practice them — and you’ll find conversations in English getting easier and more enjoyable.

Thanks for reading and happy speaking!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are polite ways to say “I don’t understand” in English?

You can say, “Sorry, I didn’t catch that,” “Could you repeat that, please?” or “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.” These sound friendly and respectful.

2. How can I ask someone to repeat politely?

Say, “Would you mind saying that again?” or “Could you say that one more time, please?” Adding please makes your request sound polite.

3. What should I avoid saying when I don’t understand?

Avoid “What?” or “Huh?” in formal or professional settings. Instead, use softer alternatives like “Sorry, I didn’t get that.”

4. Can tone and body language make a difference?

Absolutely! A friendly tone, smile, and open body language make your request sound polite even if your words are simple.

References

Brown, P., & Levinson, S. (1987). Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge University Press.
“All about language comprehension: What it is and how it can help your child read.” By Toni Gibbs, NWEA, February 6, 2025.
“Collaborative model.” Wikipedia. 2023.
“To Improve Language Comprehension DON’T Try to Understand.” By Steve , TheLinguist Blog, April 10, 2025.

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When in Doubt: 15 Polite Ways to Say “I Don’t Understand” in English Conversations