How to Say 'So You're Saying...' in Spanish: Repeat Back to Prevent Misunderstanding
Learn to repeat back what someone said in Spanish to confirm understanding before responding. Essential for intermediate learners to prevent miscommunication.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you're learning Spanish, misunderstandings can happen quickly. Instead of waiting until after you've responded incorrectly, you can prevent confusion by repeating back what you heard. This skill, called 'reflecting' or 'paraphrasing', shows you're listening and gives the speaker a chance to correct you before the conversation goes off track. In this lesson, you'll learn several natural ways to say 'So you're saying...' in Spanish, using broadly useful Latin American Spanish. You'll practice with phrases that work in everyday conversations, from casual chats to more formal settings.
By the end, you can…
- repeat back what someone said in Spanish to confirm understanding.
- use at least three different phrases to paraphrase and check comprehension.
- prevent misunderstandings by clarifying before responding.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Entonces me estás diciendo que...?
So you're telling me that...?
ehn-TOHN-sehs meh ehs-TAHS dee-SYEHN-doh keh
Common in Latin America. Use when you want to confirm what someone just told you, often before reacting.
¿O sea que...?
So, in other words...? / So that means...?
oh SEH-ah keh
Very common in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Informal and natural in conversation.
Si entiendo bien, tú dices que...
If I understand correctly, you're saying that...
see ehn-TYEHN-doh byehn, too DEE-sehs keh
Slightly more formal. Useful in professional settings or when you want to sound careful.
¿Quieres decir que...?
Do you mean that...?
KYEH-rehs deh-SEER keh
Direct and clear. Use when you're not sure if you've understood the other person's intention.
A ver si te entiendo...
Let me see if I understand you...
ah behr see teh ehn-TYEHN-doh
Friendly and conversational. Often followed by a paraphrase. Common in Argentina and Uruguay.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Most of these phrases follow a simple pattern: a lead-in phrase + que + a paraphrase of what you heard. For example: ¿Entonces me estás diciendo que no puedes venir? (So you're telling me you can't come?). You can change the verb after 'que' to match the original statement. If the original was in the past, keep it in the past: ¿O sea que ya habías terminado? (So you had already finished?). This pattern lets you confirm without repeating word for word.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you want to prevent a misunderstanding before it happens. For instance, if someone gives you directions and you're not sure, say: Si entiendo bien, tengo que doblar a la derecha después del semáforo, ¿verdad? (If I understand correctly, I have to turn right after the traffic light, right?). This is especially helpful in situations where mistakes could be costly, like at the doctor's office or in a work meeting. It also shows respect and active listening.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Oye, para el proyecto, necesito que entregues el informe el viernes antes de las cinco.
Hey, for the project, I need you to submit the report on Friday before five.OH-yeh, PAH-rah ehl proh-YEK-toh, neh-seh-SEE-toh keh ehn-treh-GEHS ehl een-FOR-meh ehl BYEHR-nehs AHN-tehs deh lahs SEE-nkohA ver si te entiendo... ¿el informe es para el viernes a más tardar a las cinco?
Let me see if I understand you... the report is for Friday at the latest by five?ah behr see teh ehn-TYEHN-doh... ehl een-FOR-meh ehs PAH-rah ehl BYEHR-nehs ah mahs tar-DAHR ah lahs SEE-nkohExacto, antes de las cinco. Y si puedes, envíamelo por correo también.
Exactly, before five. And if you can, send it to me by email too.ehk-SAHK-toh, AHN-tehs deh lahs SEE-nkoh. ee see PWEH-dehs, ehn-VEE-ah-meh-loh por koh-RREH-oh tahm-BYEHNPerfecto, entonces me estás diciendo que lo entregue el viernes antes de las cinco y que te lo envíe por correo. Entendido.
Perfect, so you're telling me to submit it on Friday before five and to send it to you by email. Understood.pehr-FEHK-toh, ehn-TOHN-sehs meh ehs-TAHS dee-SYEHN-doh keh loh ehn-treh-GEH ehl BYEHR-nehs AHN-tehs deh lahs SEE-nkoh ee keh teh loh ehn-VEE-eh por koh-RREH-oh. ehn-tehn-DEE-dohA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American cultures, repeating back what someone said is seen as a sign of respect and careful listening, not as a lack of understanding. However, in very informal settings among friends, using a phrase like '¿O sea que...?' is common, while in formal or professional contexts, 'Si entiendo bien...' might be more appropriate. In some regions, like Argentina, 'A ver si te entiendo...' is very natural, but in others it might sound slightly less common. Always pay attention to the other person's reaction to ensure your tone is appropriate.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'So you're saying...' literally as 'Entonces estás diciendo...' without the indirect object pronoun 'me'.
Try this instead: In Spanish, the verb 'decir' often takes an indirect object pronoun to indicate to whom something is said. So 'me estás diciendo' (you're telling me) is more natural than 'estás diciendo' alone. For example, say '¿Entonces me estás diciendo que no vienes?' instead of '¿Entonces estás diciendo que no vienes?'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'So you're telling me that you don't like coffee?' using the phrase '¿Entonces me estás diciendo que...?'
Show a sample answer
¿Entonces me estás diciendo que no te gusta el café?
This uses the pattern correctly, with the indirect object pronoun 'me' and the clause after 'que'. Alternative: '¿O sea que no te gusta el café?' is also correct and more informal.
2What is a more formal way to say 'If I understand correctly, you're saying that the meeting is canceled?'
Show a sample answer
Si entiendo bien, tú dices que la reunión está cancelada.
This phrase is polite and clear. You could also say 'Si entiendo bien, usted dice que...' if using 'usted'. Both are valid.
3In a conversation, someone says: 'No puedo ir a la fiesta porque tengo que trabajar.' How would you repeat back to confirm using '¿Quieres decir que...?'
Show a sample answer
¿Quieres decir que no puedes ir a la fiesta porque tienes que trabajar?
This correctly paraphrases the statement and uses the phrase to confirm. Note the change from 'puedo' to 'puedes' to match the 'tú' form.
Repeating back what you heard in Spanish is a powerful way to prevent misunderstandings. Use phrases like '¿Entonces me estás diciendo que...?' or '¿O sea que...?' to confirm before you respond. It shows you're listening and helps keep conversations on track.
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