10 Ways to Ask Someone to Repeat

Can You Say That Again?

In real-life conversations, it’s totally normal not to catch everything someone says—maybe there’s background noise, an accent you’re not used to, or you were just a second behind. Knowing 10 ways to ask someone to repeat helps you stay in the conversation without feeling awkward or lost. Whether you’re chatting with a friend or in a work meeting, these phrases will keep things smooth and friendly.

Common Ways to Ask Someone to Repeat

Asking someone to repeat doesn’t have to be stressful. Below are practical, natural-sounding phrases grouped by tone so you can choose the right one for any situation.

Polite & Professional

1. “Could you say that again, please?”
   A classic, respectful way to ask for repetition. Great for classrooms, meetings, or customer service.
   Example: “I didn’t catch your name—could you say that again, please?”
2. “Would you mind repeating that?”
   Very polite and slightly more formal. Perfect when speaking to someone older or in a professional setting.
   Example: “Would you mind repeating that? The connection was a bit fuzzy.”
3. “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that.”
   Soft and humble—shows you’re listening but just missed part of the message.
   Example: “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that. Could you go over the address again?”
4. “Excuse me, could you repeat the last part?”
   Useful when you understood most of the sentence but missed the end.
   Example: “Excuse me, could you repeat the last part? I missed the time.”

Casual & Friendly

5. “What was that?”
   Simple and common among friends or in relaxed settings. Avoid in formal situations.
   Example: “What was that? I was texting and didn’t hear you.”
6. “Say that again?”
   A shortened, informal version. Often used with a rising tone.
   Example: “Say that again? Did you say we’re meeting at 6?”
7. “Come again?”
   A friendly, slightly playful way to ask for repetition (common in American English).
   Example: “You’re moving to Tokyo? Come again?”
8. “Huh?”
   Very informal—use only with close friends or family. Can sound rude if used in the wrong context.
   Example: “Huh? What did you just say about the concert?”

Clear & Direct

9. “I didn’t hear you—can you repeat that?”
   Honest and straightforward. Works well when there’s loud noise or a bad phone connection.
   Example: “I didn’t hear you—can you repeat that? The subway was roaring past.”
10. “Sorry, can you say that one more time?”
    Warm and clear. Shows you care about understanding correctly.
    Example: “Sorry, can you say that one more time? I want to make sure I get the details right.”

Real-Life Dialogues

At a Café (Casual):

Barista: “Your total is $4.75.”
You: “Say that again? I was checking my wallet.”
Barista: “Sure—four seventy-five.”

In a Work Meeting (Polite):

Colleague: “We’ll finalize the report by Thursday at 3 p.m.”
You: “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that. Could you repeat the deadline?”
Colleague: “Of course—Thursday at 3 p.m.”

On a Phone Call (Clear):

Friend: “I’ll pick you up at the blue building near the park.”
You: “I didn’t hear you—can you repeat that? There’s a lot of traffic noise.”
Friend: “Sure! The blue building by Central Park.”

Quick Tips: When to Use Which Phrase

• In professional settings (job interviews, emails, meetings): Stick to polite phrases like “Could you say that again, please?” or “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that.”
• With friends or family: Feel free to use casual options like “What was that?” or “Come again?”
• On calls or in noisy places: Be direct: “I didn’t hear you—can you repeat that?” gets the job done fast.
• Avoid “Huh?” unless you’re very close to the person—it can sound dismissive.

Also, pairing your request with a reason (“The music was loud,” “My phone cut out”) makes it sound more natural and less abrupt.

Try One Today!

Now that you know 10 ways to ask someone to repeat, pick one that fits your style and try it in your next English conversation. Don’t worry about perfection—native speakers ask for repetition all the time! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.

And remember: asking for clarification isn’t a mistake—it’s how real communication happens. Keep listening, keep speaking, and keep learning!