怎么走？
zěnme zǒu?
How to get there?
How to say "Could you say that again?" in Chinese
可以再说一遍吗？
kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Could you say that again?
Character breakdown
Grammar and structure
This is a polite request: 可以 (kěyǐ, can) + 再 (zài, again) + 说 (shuō, say) + 一遍 (yí biàn, one time) + 吗 (ma). The 再 indicates repetition.
Variations and politeness
能再说一遍吗？
néng zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Can you say it again? — More colloquial because 能 (néng) is more casual than 可以 (kěyǐ).
请再说一遍
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say it again. — More polite because it includes 请 (qǐng, please).
再说一次
zài shuō yí cì
Say it again. — Shorter and more direct.
Mini dialogue
A
请问，去车站怎么走？
qǐng wèn, qù chēzhàn zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get to the station?
B
你可以再说一遍吗？
nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Could you say that again?
A
好的，往前走，然后右转。
hǎo de, wǎng qián zǒu, ránhòu yòuzhuǎn.
Sure, go straight ahead, then turn right.
When to use it
Appropriate
- When you didn't hear or understand what someone said and need them to repeat it.
- When you want to be polite in any situation, such as asking for directions or in a formal setting.
- When you need clarification on a specific part of what was said.
Avoid when
- When you are with close friends or in very casual situations; a simpler phrase like 什么? (shénme?) might be more natural, though less polite.
- When you want to ask someone to say something in a different way, not just repeat it; this phrase only asks for repetition, not rephrasing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'Could you say that again?' in Chinese?
You can say 可以再说一遍吗？ (kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?).
How do you pronounce 可以再说一遍吗？?
It is pronounced kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma? with the tones: kě (3rd), yǐ (3rd), zài (4th), shuō (1st), yí (2nd), biàn (4th), ma (neutral).
When should I use 可以再说一遍吗？ instead of 什么？?
Use 可以再说一遍吗？ in polite or formal situations, or when you want to show respect. 什么？ is very casual and can sound rude if used with strangers or superiors.
More phrases for this situation
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