How to Ask for More Explanation in French: Going Beyond Simple Repetition
Learn intermediate French phrases to ask for elaboration, clarification, and deeper explanation without simply requesting repetition.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, you often understand the words someone says but still need a fuller explanation. French has precise phrases for asking a speaker to elaborate, clarify a concept, or go deeper. This lesson teaches you to request more detail politely and naturally, without asking the person merely to repeat themselves. You will learn question patterns, register differences, and how to keep a conversation moving toward understanding.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to elaborate on a point in French using several polite formulas.
- request clarification of a concept, not just repetition, in formal and informal registers.
- use follow-up questions to guide an explanation toward deeper understanding.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Pourriez-vous développer ce point ?
Could you elaborate on that point?
poo-ree-ay VOO day-vlay-PAY suh pwan
Formal, polite. Uses the conditional 'pourriez' and is safe with teachers, colleagues, or strangers. 'Développer' means to expand or elaborate.
Qu'entendez-vous par là ?
What do you mean by that?
kahn-tahn-day VOO par la
Neutral to formal. Asks for the meaning behind a statement. The inversion 'entendez-vous' is standard; in casual speech you may hear 'Vous entendez quoi par là ?'.
Peux-tu m'expliquer davantage ?
Can you explain more to me?
puh-TEW mek-splee-KAY da-vahn-TAZH
Informal, uses 'tu'. Good with friends, classmates, or family. 'Davantage' means 'more' in the sense of additional detail.
Je ne suis pas sûr de bien comprendre.
I'm not sure I fully understand.
zhuh nuh swee pah sewr duh byan kohn-PRAHNDR
A soft way to signal confusion before asking for more. Works in most registers and sounds considerate rather than confrontational.
Autrement dit, vous voulez dire que... ?
In other words, you mean that...?
oh-truh-mahn dee, voo voo-LAY DEER kuh
Use this to check your understanding by paraphrasing. It invites the speaker to confirm or correct your interpretation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A reliable pattern is a polite opening plus a request for depth: 'Pourriez-vous' or 'Peux-tu' + an infinitive such as 'développer', 'expliquer', 'préciser', or 'donner un exemple'. For example: 'Pourriez-vous préciser votre pensée ?' (Could you clarify your thinking?) or 'Peux-tu donner un exemple ?' (Can you give an example?). You can also use 'J'aimerais comprendre...' (I would like to understand...) followed by a noun phrase: 'J'aimerais comprendre le lien entre les deux idées.' This keeps the focus on understanding rather than on repetition.
When to use it
Choose your phrase based on register and relationship. With a professor, manager, or official, use 'Pourriez-vous' or 'Vous pourriez' forms and 'Je ne suis pas sûr de bien comprendre'. With peers, 'Peux-tu m'expliquer davantage ?' or 'Tu peux préciser ?' is natural. When you want to verify a specific point, use 'Qu'entendez-vous par... ?' followed by the exact term: 'Qu'entendez-vous par « durable » ?' Avoid 'Répétez, s'il vous plaît' when you actually need elaboration; that asks only for repetition and may not resolve your confusion.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Je pense que cette solution est durable, mais il faut nuancer.
I think this solution is sustainable, but it needs nuance.zhuh pahns kuh set soh-lew-SYOHN ay dew-RAHBL, may eel foh nwe-ahn-SAYPourriez-vous développer ce point ? Je ne suis pas sûr de bien comprendre.
Could you elaborate on that point? I'm not sure I fully understand.poo-ree-ay VOO day-vlay-PAY suh pwan? zhuh nuh swee pah sewr duh byan kohn-PRAHNDRBien sûr. À court terme, elle réduit les coûts, mais à long terme, elle dépend de ressources limitées.
Of course. In the short term, it reduces costs, but in the long term, it depends on limited resources.byan sewr. ah koor tehr-muh, el ray-DWEE lay koo, may ah lohn tehr-muh, el day-PAHN duh ruh-SORS lee-mee-TAYAutrement dit, vous voulez dire que son efficacité n'est pas garantie ?
In other words, you mean that its effectiveness isn't guaranteed?oh-truh-mahn dee, voo voo-LAY DEER kuh sohn ay-fee-ka-see-TAY nay pah gah-rahn-TEEA little context goes a long way
In French-speaking professional and academic settings, directness can be valued, but politeness markers such as 'Pourriez-vous' and 'Je ne suis pas sûr de bien comprendre' soften a challenge and show engagement. In informal conversation, especially among younger speakers in France, 'Tu peux préciser ?' is common. In Québec, you may hear 'Peux-tu m'expliquer ça plus en détail ?' with similar meaning. Avoid stacking too many hedges; one polite formula plus a clear request is usually enough.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Répétez, s'il vous plaît' when you actually need a deeper explanation.
Try this instead: Use 'Pourriez-vous développer ce point ?' or 'Qu'entendez-vous par là ?' when you understood the words but not the reasoning. 'Répétez' only asks the speaker to say the same thing again, which may not resolve conceptual confusion.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are in a formal meeting and need a colleague to explain a concept in more depth. What phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
Pourriez-vous développer ce point ?
This uses the polite conditional 'Pourriez-vous' and 'développer', which asks for elaboration. 'Pourriez-vous expliquer davantage ?' is also correct in this context.
2You think you understand but want to confirm by paraphrasing. What phrase introduces your paraphrase?
Show a sample answer
Autrement dit, vous voulez dire que... ?
This phrase signals a paraphrase and invites confirmation. 'Si je comprends bien, vous voulez dire que... ?' is another valid option.
3A friend uses a term you don't fully grasp. Ask informally what they mean by it.
Show a sample answer
Qu'est-ce que tu entends par là ?
This informal question uses 'tu' and asks for meaning. 'Tu veux dire quoi par là ?' is also common in casual speech.
To go deeper in French, replace repetition requests with elaboration formulas: 'Pourriez-vous développer ce point ?', 'Qu'entendez-vous par là ?', and 'Autrement dit, vous voulez dire que... ?'. Match the register to your relationship and keep the focus on understanding.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s French into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr