How to Ask for Clarification

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to politely ask someone to repeat or explain something in Japanese using natural, N4-level phrases. You'll learn how to handle situations where you didn't hear, didn't understand, or need more clarification—without sounding rude.

---

In Japanese, asking for clarification is all about softening your request with polite endings and respectful phrasing. Instead of saying "What?" (which can sound blunt), you use set expressions that show you're making an effort to understand. The key patterns involve:

• もう一度 (mou ichido) – "one more time"一度
• すみません (sumimasen) – "excuse me / sorry"
• 〜という意味ですか (to iu imi desu ka) – "does it mean that...?"意味
• 〜はどういう意味ですか (wa dou iu imi desu ka) – "what does ~ mean?"意味

These phrases are polite enough for coworkers, classmates, or strangers, but not overly formal (that's N3+ territory).

---

1. Asking someone to repeat (general)

Pattern:
すみません、もう一度言ってください。
Sumimasen, mou ichido itte kudasai.
"Excuse me, please say it one more time."一度言

• すみません (sumimasen) = excuse me / sorry (softener)
• もう一度 (mou ichido) = one more time一度
• 言って (itte) = say (te-form of 言う iu)言
• ください (kudasai) = please (request)

Variation (more polite):
すみません、もう一度言っていただけますか。
Sumimasen, mou ichido itte itadakemasu ka.
"Excuse me, could you say it one more time?"一度言

---

2. Asking for repetition of a specific part

Pattern:
すみません、〜はもう一度お願いします。
Sumimasen, ~ wa mou ichido onegai shimasu.
"Excuse me, please repeat ~ one more time."一度願

Example:
すみません、その数字はもう一度お願いします。
Sumimasen, sono suuji wa mou ichido onegai shimasu.
"Excuse me, please repeat that number one more time."数字一度願

---

3. Asking what something means

Pattern A (for a word/phrase):
〜はどういう意味ですか。
~ wa dou iu imi desu ka.
"What does ~ mean?"意味

Example:
「お疲れ様」はどういう意味ですか。
"Otsukaresama" wa dou iu imi desu ka.
"What does 'otsukaresama' mean?"疲様意味

Pattern B (checking your understanding):
〜という意味ですか。
~ to iu imi desu ka.
"Does it mean that ~?"意味

Example:
つまり、明日は休みという意味ですか。
Tsumari, ashita wa yasumi to iu imi desu ka.
"In other words, does it mean tomorrow is a day off?"明日休意味

---

4. Asking for a slower repetition

Pattern:
すみません、もう少しゆっくり言ってください。
Sumimasen, mou sukoshi yukkuri itte kudasai.
"Excuse me, please say it a little more slowly."少言

• もう少し (mou sukoshi) = a little more少
• ゆっくり (yukkuri) = slowly

---

---

❌ Don't say:
何ですか？ (Nan desu ka?) – "What is it?"
This can sound abrupt or even rude in many situations.何

✅ Instead say:
すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Sumimasen, mou ichido onegai shimasu.
This is softer and shows you're being polite.一度願

Also avoid using 何 (nani) alone as a question—it's too direct. Always add すみません and a polite request phrase.何

---

Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase:

1. すみません、もう一度__________ください。
   (Hint: "say it")一度

   一度

2. 「よろしくお願いします」は__________意味ですか。
   (Hint: "what kind of")願意味

   願意味

3. すみません、もう__________ゆっくり言ってください。
   (Hint: "a little")言

   言

4. つまり、この書類にサインする__________意味ですか。
   (Hint: "does it mean that")書類意味

   書類意味

---

Answers:

1. 言って (itte)言
2. どういう (dou iu)
3. 少し (sukoshi)少
4. という (to iu)

---

You now know four key ways to ask for clarification politely:

• もう一度お願いします – "One more time, please"一度願
• 〜はどういう意味ですか – "What does ~ mean?"意味
• 〜という意味ですか – "Does it mean that ~?"意味
• もう少しゆっくり言ってください – "Please say it more slowly"少言

Next step: Practice these phrases in real conversations. Next time you don't catch something, use すみません、もう一度お願いします instead of just "えっ？" (Eh?). Then try asking about a word you don't know using 〜はどういう意味ですか.一度願意味