Practical Mandarin · Everyday conversation

Phrases for Asking for Clarification in Mandarin

Five useful ways to ask someone to repeat, slow down, explain a word, or give an example. Each phrase includes Chinese characters, pinyin, an English meaning, and a note on when to use it.

5 everyday phrases Characters + pinyin For learners and families
See the five phrases

A simple reference for moments when you need a little more context.

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Clarification phrases help keep a conversation moving when a word is unfamiliar, someone speaks too quickly, or an explanation is hard to follow. This short list focuses on five practical situations, from asking for a repeat to requesting an example. It is useful for Mandarin learners, parents supporting a child’s practice, and anyone who wants a polite way to say they need more information. Start with the first two phrases for everyday conversation; use the others when a word or idea needs a clearer explanation.

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What Are Phrases for Asking for Clarification in Mandarin?

They are short, polite expressions used to check what someone said or meant. A learner might use one to request a repeat, ask for slower speech, check the meaning of a word, or invite an example. Having a few ready can make it easier to stay engaged instead of silently losing track of a conversation. These phrases are useful in lessons and in ordinary conversations whenever something is unclear.

Quick tip

Use the phrase that matches the problem: ask for a repeat if you missed the sound, ask for slower speech if the pace is difficult, and ask for an explanation if you heard the words but do not understand the meaning.

Quick reference

Top Picks: 5 Useful Mandarin Clarification Phrases

Scan the list first, then explore the examples and usage notes below. The phrases are ordered from basic repair requests to more specific questions.

  1. #1

    请再说一遍好吗？ — Best for asking someone to say it again politely.

  2. #2

    请说慢一点。 — Best when the speaker’s pace is too fast.

  3. #3

    这个词是什么意思？ — Best for asking what a particular word means.

  4. #4

    我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？ — Best when you need an explanation of the idea.

  5. #5

    你可以举个例子吗？ — Best when an example would make the explanation clearer.

Comparison Table: All 5 Phrases

Choose the expression that asks for the kind of help you need: repetition, a slower pace, a word definition, a fuller explanation, or a concrete example.

Name Key strengths Key limitations Best for Why it stands out
请再说一遍好吗？ Directly asks for repetition. Does not specify what part was missed. A missed sentence or response. A broadly useful conversation repair.
请说慢一点。 Names the problem: speaking speed. Does not ask for a word’s meaning. Speech that is hard to follow. A concise request for a slower pace.
这个词是什么意思？ Focuses on one word’s meaning. Best suited to a specific word. A word or vocabulary item. Makes the question precise.
我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？ Signals confusion and requests an explanation. Longer than a simple repeat request. An idea or explanation that remains unclear. Combines a polite explanation request with context.
你可以举个例子吗？ Requests a concrete example. An example may not answer every question. An unfamiliar idea or usage. Turns an abstract explanation into a specific one.

How We Selected These Phrases

This is a practical phrase collection, not a ranking of language programs. The selection focuses on everyday conversational needs and clear distinctions between the requests.

  • Everyday usefulness — Each phrase addresses a common clarification need.
  • Clear purpose — The set distinguishes repeating, slowing down, defining, explaining, and exemplifying.
  • Learner-friendly format — Chinese characters, pinyin, and English meanings appear together.
  • Useful in lessons and conversation — The phrases are framed for moments when a learner needs more context.

Phrase-by-phrase guide

The 5 Best Phrases for Asking for Clarification in Mandarin

Read each phrase aloud and connect its wording to the situation it solves. Pinyin is included as a pronunciation guide; the English translations explain the intended meaning.

#1 请再说一遍好吗？ — Best for asking someone to repeat

What it is / Why it stands out

This is a polite way to ask someone to say something one more time. Use it when you did not catch a sentence or response and want to hear it again.

Chinese

请再说一遍好吗？

Pinyin

Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn hǎo ma?

English

Could you say that again, please?

Best for

  • A sentence you did not hear clearly.
  • A quick, polite request to repeat.

Key characteristics

  • Begins with 请 (qǐng), a polite “please.”
  • Uses 再说一遍 to ask for one more repetition.
  • Ends with 好吗 to soften the request.
  • Works when you need the whole statement repeated.
  • Does not specify a particular word or detail.

Pros / Why We Love It

  • Its purpose is clear and easy to remember.
  • It asks for repetition without guessing what was missed.
  • The polite wording suits a learner asking for help.

Cons

  • It does not tell the speaker whether the issue was speed or vocabulary.
  • If only one word is unclear, a more specific question may help.

Try it: Say the phrase when you missed what someone said, then listen for the repeated sentence.

Verdict: Start here when you simply need to hear a sentence again.

#2 请说慢一点。 — Best for speech that is too fast

What it is / Why it stands out

This phrase asks someone to speak a little more slowly. It is useful when you can follow the topic but cannot keep up with the pace.

Chinese

请说慢一点。

Pinyin

Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.

English

Please speak a little more slowly.

Best for

  • A conversation moving faster than you can follow.
  • Asking for a slower pace rather than a full explanation.

Key characteristics

  • Opens with 请 (qǐng), a polite request marker.
  • Uses 说 (shuō) for “speak” or “say.”
  • 慢一点 asks for a little more slowly.
  • Targets the pace of speech directly.
  • Does not ask the speaker to repeat a specific sentence.

Pros / Why We Love It

  • Clearly identifies the difficulty as speed.
  • Short enough to use in a quick exchange.
  • Pairs naturally with listening practice.

Cons

  • Slower speech may not explain unfamiliar vocabulary.
  • You may still need a follow-up question about a word or idea.

Try it: Use this when the speaker’s pace is the main obstacle, then listen again for the words you missed.

Verdict: Choose this when you understand the conversation better at a slower pace.

#3 这个词是什么意思？ — Best for asking about a word

What it is / Why it stands out

This question asks what a particular word means. It is a direct choice when you heard the word but do not know its meaning.

Chinese

这个词是什么意思？

Pinyin

Zhège cí shì shénme yìsi?

English

What does this word mean?

Best for

  • A specific unfamiliar word.
  • Vocabulary questions during a conversation or lesson.

Key characteristics

  • 这个 (zhège) means “this.”
  • 词 (cí) means “word.”
  • 是什么意思 asks what something means.
  • Points the question toward a word rather than the whole sentence.
  • Can be used as a focused follow-up question.

Pros / Why We Love It

  • Clearly identifies the item you are asking about.
  • Useful for building vocabulary in context.
  • Helps distinguish a meaning question from a listening problem.

Cons

  • It is specific to asking about a word.
  • It may not resolve confusion about a longer explanation.

Try it: Use this after identifying the word you want clarified.

Verdict: Pick this when the words were clear but one vocabulary item was not.

#4 我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？ — Best for an unclear idea

What it is / Why it stands out

This expression says that you do not quite understand and asks whether the speaker can explain. It suits a situation where repeating the same words may not be enough.

Chinese

我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？

Pinyin

Wǒ bú tài míngbai, kěyǐ jiěshì yíxià ma?

English

I don’t quite understand; could you explain?

Best for

  • An idea or explanation that remains unclear.
  • Asking for more than a repeated sentence.

Key characteristics

  • 我不太明白 signals that you do not quite understand.
  • 可以 asks whether the speaker can help.
  • 解释一下 requests an explanation.
  • 吗 forms a question.
  • More detailed than a simple request to repeat.

Pros / Why We Love It

  • Communicates that the difficulty is understanding.
  • Invites the speaker to explain in another way.
  • Useful when a sentence repeated at the same pace would not help.

Cons

  • It is longer than the basic repeat request.
  • It does not specify whether a word, step, or whole idea is unclear.

Try it: Say this when you need the speaker to explain the thought, not just repeat the same words.

Verdict: Use it when you need the idea explained more clearly.

#5 你可以举个例子吗？ — Best for requesting an example

What it is / Why it stands out

This question asks whether someone can give an example. It is useful when an explanation feels abstract and a concrete instance would help you understand it.

Chinese

你可以举个例子吗？

Pinyin

Nǐ kěyǐ jǔ ge lìzi ma?

English

Could you give an example?

Best for

  • An idea that is difficult to picture.
  • A situation where an example would clarify usage.

Key characteristics

  • 你 (nǐ) addresses the person you are speaking with.
  • 可以 asks whether they can do something.
  • 举个例子 means “give an example.”
  • 吗 marks the sentence as a question.
  • Requests a concrete illustration rather than repetition alone.

Pros / Why We Love It

  • Clearly asks for a practical example.
  • Can make an abstract explanation more tangible.
  • Works as a useful follow-up to an explanation.

Cons

  • An example may not answer every part of a question.
  • It is less suitable if the real problem is simply not hearing the speaker.

Try it: Ask for an example when the explanation is understandable in words but still hard to apply.

Verdict: Choose this when one concrete example would make a new idea easier to grasp.

Practice in context

How to Choose the Right Phrase

First identify what made the conversation difficult. A focused request can help the other person know whether to repeat, slow down, define a word, explain the idea, or provide an example.

  • If you missed what was said → choose 请再说一遍好吗？
  • If the other person is speaking too quickly → choose 请说慢一点。
  • If one word is unfamiliar → choose 这个词是什么意思？
  • If you heard the words but not the idea → choose 我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？
  • If an example would make it clearer → choose 你可以举个例子吗？
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Keep learning

Build Mandarin Confidence Through Practice

Learning a clarification phrase is a useful first step; using it in a conversation helps connect the words to their purpose. LingoAce offers live, instructor-led enrichment for children, with Mandarin among its programs and lesson materials designed for young learners. Explore the Mandarin Chinese learning program to see the program information. For more practice ideas, explore Mandarin speaking practice and Chinese learning for children.

The learning approach combines instructor-led lessons with a play- and game-driven curriculum. Parents can also look into interactive Mandarin lessons and online Chinese classes when considering ways to support a child’s learning.

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What Families Say About Mandarin Learning

These selected comments describe families’ experiences with lessons, teaching, and learner confidence. They are individual reviews, not a guarantee of a particular outcome.

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“The lessons were engaging and the materials were informative. Kids love the animation and were very excited to attend the Chinese lessons. I could see significant improvements in their Chinese proficiency especially in reading and word recognition.”

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More Ways to Support a Mandarin Learner

For children, a supportive learning routine can combine conversation practice, structured lessons, and opportunities to ask questions. Families comparing options may find it helpful to read about structured Mandarin courses for kids or Mandarin speaking confidence. Choose practice that suits the learner’s age, starting point, and goals rather than expecting one phrase or lesson to do everything.

For more targeted ways to encourage conversation, browse Mandarin conversation skills and Mandarin vocabulary practice.

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FAQs

What does “asking for clarification in Mandarin” mean?

Asking for clarification in Mandarin means using a question or request to make a conversation easier to understand. You might ask someone to repeat what they said, speak more slowly, define a word, explain an idea, or give an example. The five phrases on this page cover those different needs. Choosing a phrase that matches the problem makes your request more specific. It also gives the other person a clearer idea of how to help.

What is a simple Mandarin phrase for “Can you say that again?”

You can say 请再说一遍好吗？ (Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn hǎo ma?), meaning “Could you say that again, please?” It is useful when you missed a sentence or did not hear a response clearly. The phrase asks for repetition rather than a slower pace or a definition. If the person is speaking too quickly, 请说慢一点。 is more specific. Practice both so you can choose the one that matches the situation.

How do I ask someone to speak more slowly in Mandarin?

Use 请说慢一点。 (Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.), which means “Please speak a little more slowly.” It directly asks the speaker to adjust their pace. This can help when you understand the topic but cannot follow the speed of the conversation. It does not ask someone to explain a word or repeat a whole sentence. If you still do not understand afterward, follow up with a more specific question.

How do I ask what a Mandarin word means?

Ask 这个词是什么意思？ (Zhège cí shì shénme yìsi?), meaning “What does this word mean?” This phrase is for a specific word that you heard or saw but do not understand. It helps distinguish a vocabulary question from a request to repeat the whole sentence. If the meaning of an entire idea is unclear, 我不太明白，可以解释一下吗？ asks for an explanation instead. Pair the question with the word you want clarified when that is helpful.

How can a child practice these Mandarin clarification phrases?

A child can start by matching each phrase to the situation it solves: repetition, slower speech, a word meaning, an explanation, or an example. Practice saying the Chinese characters aloud while following the pinyin, then use the phrase in a short role-play. Keep the practice focused on one phrase at a time so the child can connect it to its purpose. A teacher or conversation partner can respond naturally to the request and continue the exchange. Regular, low-pressure practice helps make the phrases easier to recall when something is unclear.

Choose a Phrase, Then Keep the Conversation Going

For a quick repeat, start with 请再说一遍好吗？; for an unfamiliar word, ask 这个词是什么意思？; and when an idea needs more context, request an explanation or example. These five expressions give Mandarin learners a practical starting point for making confusion clear. Read the pinyin aloud, try each phrase in context, and explore LingoAce’s Chinese learning program for more information about live Mandarin lessons for children.

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