Asking Clarifying Questions in Mandarin: "What Do You Mean By...?"
Learn to ask precise clarifying questions in Mandarin using 你是什么意思, 你说的……是指什么, and 具体来说, so you can resolve confusion without pretending to understand.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you don't understand something in Mandarin, the most useful move is not to guess, but to ask a clarifying question. This lesson teaches you how to ask what someone means by a word, phrase, or statement. You will learn patterns such as 你是什么意思？(What do you mean?), 你说的……是指什么？(What do you mean by...?), and 具体来说……？(Specifically...?). These questions help you get a clearer explanation without changing the topic. They are especially useful in conversations where a speaker uses an unfamiliar term, an ambiguous phrase, or a regional expression. By the end, you will be able to ask for clarification politely and keep the conversation going.
By the end, you can…
- ask what someone means by a specific word or phrase in Mandarin.
- request a more specific explanation using 具体来说 and 是指什么.
- use clarifying questions politely in a conversation without sounding confrontational.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
你是什么意思？
What do you mean?
nǐ shì shénme yìsi?
General clarifying question. Use when you did not understand the speaker's overall meaning. It can sound direct, so a softer tone or 请问 helps in formal situations.
你说的……是指什么？
What do you mean by...?
nǐ shuō de... shì zhǐ shénme?
Insert the word or phrase you are asking about before 是指什么. This is the closest equivalent to 'What do you mean by...?' and is very useful for checking a specific term.
具体来说，是什么意思？
Specifically, what does it mean?
jùtǐ lái shuō, shì shénme yìsi?
Use when you want a more detailed explanation. 具体来说 means 'specifically' or 'concretely' and signals that the previous answer was too general.
我不太明白，你能解释一下吗？
I don't quite understand; can you explain?
wǒ bú tài míngbai, nǐ néng jiěshì yíxià ma?
Polite and natural. 不太 softens the statement. Use 您 instead of 你 with strangers or in formal contexts: 您能解释一下吗？
你刚才说的“……”是什么意思？
What does the '...' you just said mean?
nǐ gāngcái shuō de “...” shì shénme yìsi?
Quote the exact word or phrase inside the quotation marks. 刚才 means 'just now', making it clear you are asking about something already said.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for asking 'What do you mean by X?' is: 你说的 + X + 是指什么？For example, if someone says 这个项目很灵活, and you don't know what 灵活 means in this context, ask: 你说的“灵活”是指什么？(What do you mean by 'flexible'?) You can also use 是什么意思: 你说的“灵活”是什么意思？Both are correct. 是指什么 often asks for the intended referent or definition in context, while 是什么意思 asks for the meaning more generally. To ask for a more specific explanation, add 具体来说: 具体来说，这个“灵活”是指什么？This pattern works with nouns, verbs, and short phrases. It does not require changing the original sentence, so it is easy to use in real time.
When to use it
Use these questions when you genuinely need clarification, not when you want to challenge the speaker. In casual conversation with friends, 你是什么意思？is fine. In a meeting or with a teacher, soften it: 请问，您说的……是指什么？or 我不太明白，您能解释一下吗？If someone uses a regional expression or a technical term, quote it directly: 你说的“搞不定”是什么意思？This shows you are listening carefully. Avoid repeating the same clarifying question too many times in a row; instead, summarize what you think you heard and ask for confirmation of the specific point: 你的意思是……，对吗？That keeps the conversation moving. Note that 什么意思 can sound abrupt if said with a flat or falling tone; adding 请问 or 我不太明白 makes it more polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个方案有点冒险，我们需要再讨论一下。
This plan is a bit risky; we need to discuss it again.zhège fāng'àn yǒudiǎn màoxiǎn, wǒmen xūyào zài tǎolùn yíxià.你说的“冒险”是指什么？具体来说，是哪方面？
What do you mean by 'risky'? Specifically, in what way?nǐ shuō de “màoxiǎn” shì zhǐ shénme? jùtǐ lái shuō, shì nǎ fāngmiàn?我是指预算可能不够，不是指技术上有问题。
I mean the budget might not be enough, not that there is a technical problem.wǒ shì zhǐ yùsuàn kěnéng bú gòu, bú shì zhǐ jìshù shàng yǒu wèntí.明白了。那“预算不够”是指哪一部分？是设备还是人力？
I see. Then what does 'budget not enough' refer to? Equipment or manpower?míngbai le. nà “yùsuàn bú gòu” shì zhǐ nǎ yí bùfen? shì shèbèi háishì rénlì?A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin conversation, directly saying 你是什么意思？can sound confrontational if your tone is sharp, because it may imply the speaker was unclear or unreasonable. To keep the exchange cooperative, many speakers preface the question with 请问, 我不太明白, or 你的意思是……吗？Also, 您 is the polite form of 'you' and is common with strangers, elders, or in formal workplaces. Among close friends, 你 is normal. Clarifying questions are generally welcome when they show genuine attention, but avoid asking multiple questions in a row without acknowledging the answer; a brief 明白了 or 原来如此 before the next question keeps the tone friendly.
One thing to watch for
Using 你是什么意思？with a rising angry tone to mean 'What are you trying to say?' when you actually just need a definition.
Try this instead: If you only need a definition, use a neutral or polite clarifying question: 你说的“X”是指什么？or 请问，您说的“X”是什么意思？For example, 你说的“灵活”是指什么？This asks for the meaning of a specific term without implying the speaker was unclear or unreasonable.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Someone says: 这个安排很灵活。You don't know what 灵活 means here. Ask what they mean by 灵活.
Show a sample answer
你说的“灵活”是指什么？
This uses the pattern 你说的 + quoted word + 是指什么. It is precise and polite. 你说的“灵活”是什么意思？is also correct and slightly more general.
2You want a more specific explanation after a general answer. Which phrase do you add?
Show a sample answer
具体来说
具体来说 means 'specifically' or 'concretely'. It signals that you want details. You can say 具体来说，是指什么？Other valid options include 详细一点 or 举个例子, depending on what you need.
3In a formal meeting, soften 'What do you mean?' using 您 and a polite opener.
Show a sample answer
请问，您说的是什么意思？
请问 and 您 make the question polite and appropriate for formal contexts. 您说的……是指什么？is also correct and often more precise when you want to quote a specific term.
To clarify meaning in Mandarin, quote the word or phrase and ask 你说的“X”是指什么？Add 具体来说 for more detail, and soften with 请问 or 我不太明白 in formal situations.
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