How to Ask for Clarification - Examples and Variations

Master how to ask for clarification with the key pattern

Also Appears In: Can Ask for Clarification Level 1.1 Can Do Chinese

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Let's look at the expressions once more.

Listen and repeat.

不好意思。 (Bù hǎoyìsi.)

请再说一遍。 (Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.)

请说慢一点。 (Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.)

不好意思，请再说一遍。 (Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.)

不好意思，请再说一遍。请说慢一点。 (Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn. Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.)

能再说一遍吗？(Néng zài shuō yí biàn ma?)

能再说一遍吗？(Neng zài shuō yí biàn ma?)

Did you notice how I used a different expression?

能再说一遍吗？(Neng zài shuō yíbiàn ma?)

"Can you say it one more time?"

能再说一遍吗？

This request starts with 能 (néng), meaning "can," as in to be able. 能. 能.

And it ends with 吗 (ma), the question-marking particle indicating question. 吗？

能...吗？sentence pattern is used to make a polite request.

Note: the answer to a 吗 question should confirm or negate the verb. In this case, "Yes, you can," or "No, you can't."

Between 能 and 吗 is what we've learned earlier 再说一遍 "say it one more time" 再说一遍.

Together 能再说一遍吗？"Can you say it one more time," or "Could you say it one more time? 能再说一遍吗？

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