Bonjour! When learning French, it’s crucial to know how to politely ask someone to repeat themselves. Whether you’re struggling with comprehension or simply didn’t hear what was said, these expressions will help you navigate conversations more smoothly.
Why Learn These Expressions?
- Improve communication: Effectively ask for clarification in various situations.
- Cultural insight: Understand the nuances of politeness in French conversation.
- Sound more natural: Use the same phrases French natives use in everyday situations.
The Basic Expression
Let’s start with the standard way to say “I didn’t hear” in French:
- Je n’ai pas entendu – I didn’t hear
While this works well, French offers many other options to express the same idea or ask for repetition.
Formal Ways to Ask for Repetition
When you’re in a formal setting or speaking with someone you don’t know well, try these polite expressions:
- Plaît-il ? – I beg your pardon? (very formal)
- Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? – Could you repeat, please?
- Excusez-moi ? – Excuse me?
Semi-Formal Expressions
These expressions are appropriate in most everyday situations:
- Pardon ? – Pardon?
- Comment ? – How’s that? / What?
- Je n’ai pas compris – I didn’t understand
Casual Ways to Ask “What?”
In informal situations with friends or family, you can use these more relaxed expressions:
- Hein ? – Huh? (be careful, as this can be considered impolite in formal settings)
- Quoi ? – What?
- Qu’est-ce que tu as dit ? – What did you say?
- T’as dit quoi ? – What did you say? (very informal)
Regional Variation
- Kesako ? – What’s that? (from “Qu’est-ce que c’est que ça ?”, used mainly in Southern France)
Tips for Using These Expressions
- Consider your audience: Use more formal expressions with strangers or in professional settings, and save casual ones for friends and family.
- Mind your tone: Even informal expressions can be polite if said with the right intonation.
- Non-verbal cues: Combine these phrases with gestures like cupping your ear or leaning forward to indicate you’re having trouble hearing.
- Follow up: After asking for repetition, show you’re actively listening by nodding or using expressions like “Je vois” (I see) or “D’accord” (Okay).
Bonus: Useful Follow-up Phrases
After asking someone to repeat, you might want to explain why you didn’t hear. Here are some helpful phrases:
- Il y a beaucoup de bruit ici – It’s very noisy here
- Je n’entends pas très bien – I can’t hear very well
- Pourriez-vous parler plus fort ? – Could you speak louder?
- Désolé(e), j’étais distrait(e) – Sorry, I was distracted
Conclusion
Mastering these expressions will help you navigate French conversations more confidently. Remember, it’s always better to ask for clarification than to pretend you understood. Native speakers will appreciate your effort to understand them correctly.
Interactive Learning Suggestion: Create role-play scenarios where you practice using these phrases in different contexts (e.g., at a café, in a business meeting, with friends).
Do you know any other ways to ask for repetition in French? Share your favorites in the comments below!
