French for Clarifying: Saying "I Didn't Catch That" and "What Do You Mean?"
Learn elementary French phrases to say you didn't hear or understand, ask what someone means, and request a rephrase or repetition politely.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you miss a word or an idea in French, the conversation doesn't have to stop. This lesson gives you short, polite phrases to say you didn't catch something, ask what someone means, and request a repetition or a rephrase. You will practise the difference between not hearing (répéter) and not understanding (expliquer), and you will learn how to keep the exchange going without switching to English.
By the end, you can…
- say politely that I didn't hear or didn't catch what was said.
- ask what someone means and request a rephrase or explanation.
- ask someone to repeat more slowly or to spell a word.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Pardon, je n'ai pas bien entendu.
Sorry, I didn't hear well.
par-DON, zhuh nay pah byan ahn-tahn-DEW
Use when the sound was unclear. 'Pardon' softens the request; 'bien' means 'well' or 'properly'.
Je n'ai pas compris.
I didn't understand.
zhuh nay pah kom-PREE
Use when you heard the words but the meaning is unclear. In the passé composé, the past participle 'compris' does not change for gender.
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?
What do you mean?
kess-kuh voo voo-lay DEER
Standard polite form with 'vous'. Use it when you want an explanation, not just a repetition.
Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Can you repeat, please?
poo-vay voo ray-pay-TAY, seel voo PLEH
Use when you need the same words again. 'Répéter' has accents: é, é, é.
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?
Can you speak more slowly?
poo-vay voo par-lay plew lahn-tuh-MAHN
Use when the speed is the problem. 'Plus' here means 'more'; the final 's' is silent.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For polite requests, use 'Pouvez-vous' + infinitive: 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' (Can you repeat?), 'Pouvez-vous expliquer ?' (Can you explain?), 'Pouvez-vous épeler ?' (Can you spell?). To say what you didn't do, use 'Je n'ai pas' + past participle: 'Je n'ai pas compris' (I didn't understand), 'Je n'ai pas entendu' (I didn't hear). Do not add an extra word for 'it': French often leaves it understood. For example, 'Je n'ai pas compris' is complete; you do not need 'le' unless you name the thing: 'Je n'ai pas compris la question.'
When to use it
Choose your phrase by the problem. If the sound was unclear, say 'Pardon, je n'ai pas bien entendu' and then 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' If you heard the words but not the meaning, say 'Je n'ai pas compris' and ask 'Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?' If the speaker is going too fast, use 'Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ?' In formal situations, keep 'vous'; with friends, you can use 'tu': 'Tu peux répéter ?' and 'Tu veux dire quoi ?' Note that 'Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?' asks about meaning, while 'Qu'est-ce que vous dites ?' can sound like you are challenging what was said, so prefer the first for clarification.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Alors, pour le rendez-vous, on se retrouve mardi à quinze heures ?
So, for the appointment, shall we meet Tuesday at 3 p.m.?ah-LOR, poor luh rahn-day-VOO, on suh ruh-TROHV mar-DEE ah kanz UHRPardon, je n'ai pas bien entendu. Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?
Sorry, I didn't hear well. Can you repeat, please?par-DON, zhuh nay pah byan ahn-tahn-DEW. poo-vay voo ray-pay-TAY, seel voo PLEHOui, bien sûr. Mardi à quinze heures, au café près de la gare.
Yes, of course. Tuesday at 3 p.m., at the café near the station.WEE, byan SEWR. mar-DEE ah kanz UHR, oh ka-FAY preh duh lah GARMerci. Je n'ai pas compris « près de la gare ». Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?
Thank you. I didn't understand “near the station.” What do you mean?mair-SEE. zhuh nay pah kom-PREE preh duh lah GAR. kess-kuh voo voo-lay DEERA little context goes a long way
In France, 'Pardon' is a common, light way to interrupt for clarification, and 's'il vous plaît' keeps the request polite. In Québec, you may hear 'Excusez-moi' or 'Je n'ai pas compris' with a similar function, and informal 'tu peux répéter ?' is common among friends. Using 'vous' with strangers, older people, or in professional settings is the safer default.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je ne comprends pas' when you simply didn't hear the words.
Try this instead: If the problem is sound, say 'Je n'ai pas bien entendu' or 'Pardon, je n'ai pas entendu' and then ask 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' Use 'Je ne comprends pas' or 'Je n'ai pas compris' when the meaning is unclear, for example: 'Je n'ai pas compris le mot « gare ».'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You heard the words but you don't understand the idea. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Je n'ai pas compris. Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?
This separates the fact of not understanding from the request for meaning. 'Je ne comprends pas' is also correct in the present tense.
2The speaker is speaking too fast. Ask them to speak more slowly.
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît ?
This uses the polite 'vous' form and the adverb 'lentement'. With a friend, 'Tu peux parler plus lentement ?' is also correct.
3You didn't hear a name. Ask the person to spell it.
Show a sample answer
Pouvez-vous épeler, s'il vous plaît ?
'Épeler' means 'to spell'. You can also say 'Comment ça s'écrit ?' (How is it written?) for the same purpose.
Keep two questions ready: 'Pouvez-vous répéter ?' for sound problems and 'Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire ?' for meaning problems. Add 'Pardon' or 's'il vous plaît' to stay polite.
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