How to Ask Someone to Repeat in English

That Awkward Moment Everyone Knows

Have you ever had a moment when someone spoke English and your mind just went blank? You didn't catch what they said, and all you could say was "Sorry?" It feels awkward, and the conversation suddenly stops.

Here's the good news: Asking someone to repeat is not rude at all. Native speakers do it all the time.

Why Is It So Hard to Ask Someone to Repeat?

Many English learners hesitate because they feel:

• It might sound rude
• Others might think their English is poor
• They don't know what to say in the moment

In reality, this is not an English ability problem. It's simply a matter of knowing the right expressions.

Three Common Reasons You Can't Catch What Someone Said

There are usually three reasons:

1. The English is too fast, or you're not used to the pronunciation
2. You don't understand the vocabulary or content
3. Audio or connection problems (especially in online meetings)

Because the reasons are different, it's more natural to change how you ask depending on the situation.

Super Simple Expressions (Beginner-Friendly)

These are short, easy, and perfectly okay to use:

Tips: Short doesn't mean rude. Your tone of voice and facial expression matter more than the words themselves.

Polite and Natural Expressions for Daily Conversations

These sound friendly and smooth in everyday situations:

Useful for online English lessons, casual conversations, or talking with friends.

Saying What You Didn't Understand (Very Important!)

Instead of asking someone to repeat everything, be specific:

This helps keep the conversation flowing and shows you're engaged.

When You Heard the Words but Didn't Understand the Meaning

Hearing English and understanding English are not the same. Use these phrases:

Natural Expressions Native Speakers Often Use

For learners who are a bit more comfortable with English:

These are more casual, so be careful using them in formal situations.

Phrases for Online Meetings (Audio/Connection Issues)

Very common in Zoom, Google Meet, or online calls. Here are phrases for different situations:

Key tip: Say you couldn't hear, not you didn't understand. This focuses on the technical issue, not your English ability.

Polite and Safe Expressions for Business Meetings

These sound professional and non-blaming:

Focus on the situation, not the person.

Casual Expressions for Team Members or Friends

Only use these with people you know well:

Useful Expressions When Using the Chat Box

A practical solution in online meetings:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

How to Build Real Conversation Skills

Knowing these phrases is your first step toward confident English conversations. With consistent practice, you can make them second nature—and we're here to help you get there.

Ur English Tutor offers four practice modes—Listening, Unit Repetition, Conversation, and Role-play—with a wide variety of topics and themes to keep your practice fresh and relevant.

If you're a beginner, try starting with listening and unit repetition practice. By hearing natural English and mimicking the rhythm and pronunciation, you'll naturally absorb common patterns and phrases—building a strong foundation at your own pace. With an AI tutor, you can practice anytime—without fear of making mistakes.