English · Natural expressions
How to ask someone to repeat in English
You can request a repeat, identify the part you missed, or ask for slower delivery. Explain the listening problem rather than implying the speaker's information is wrong.
Baat sunai nahi di ho to dobara kehne ko kahein. Speed zyada ho to dheere bolne ki request karein.
Choose the expression that fits
Expression 1
Sorry, could you say that again?
माफ़ कीजिए, क्या आप फिर से कह सकते हैं?
maaf kijiye, kya aap phir se kah sakte hain?
A polite general repeat request when you missed the whole message.
Expression 2
I didn't catch the last part.
आखिरी हिस्सा सुनाई नहीं दिया।
aakhiri hissa sunaai nahi diya.
Identify the last part as the part you did not hear clearly.
Expression 3
Could you say it a little more slowly?
क्या आप थोड़ा धीरे बोल सकते हैं?
kya aap thoda dheere bol sakte hain?
Ask for a slower version when hearing the same speed again would not help.
What to watch for
“I didn't catch that” means you did not hear or understand it. Catch is figurative here. If speed is the problem, ask the person to speak more slowly.
See it in a short conversation
Hearing the time of a meeting
Partner
The meeting starts at half past nine.
Show Hindi meaning
बैठक साढ़े नौ बजे शुरू होती है।
baithak saadhe nau baje shuru hoti hai.
You
Sorry, could you say that again?
Show Hindi meaning
माफ़ कीजिए, क्या आप फिर से कह सकते हैं?
maaf kijiye, kya aap phir se kah sakte hain?
Missing the last part of directions
Partner
We meet at the station, beside the ticket office.
Show Hindi meaning
हम स्टेशन पर टिकट घर के पास मिलेंगे।
ham station par ticket ghar ke paas milenge.
You
I didn't catch the last part.
Show Hindi meaning
आखिरी हिस्सा सुनाई नहीं दिया।
aakhiri hissa sunaai nahi diya.
Your turn
Ask the person to say the message a little more slowly. Make the listening adjustment specific.
Reveal sample reply
Could you say it a little more slowly?
क्या आप थोड़ा धीरे बोल सकते हैं?
kya aap thoda dheere bol sakte hain?
