When a homework problem is confusing, a polite request in Japanese helps you get the explanation you need. In this workshop you will practice asking someone to explain a problem, checking that you understand the reply, and recalling the whole exchange. Each native line is shown with its English meaning so you know what you are saying before you try it.
Asking someone to explain a problem
Start with a polite request. «この問題を説明してもらえますか。» means "Can you explain this problem?" Use it when you want a general explanation of the task in front of you. If you want to know the method, not just the answer, «この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。» means "Can you teach me how to solve this problem?" Both are polite and suitable for a teacher or a classmate. When the difficulty is one specific sentence, «すみません、この文の意味がわかりません。» means "Excuse me, I don't understand the meaning of this sentence." Notice that this line states what you do not understand instead of asking a general question. Choose the line that matches your situation: a whole problem, a method, or one sentence.
Understanding the reply and asking again
After you ask, listen for the other person's response. «はい、いいですよ。どこがわからないんですか。» means "Yes, that's fine. What part don't you understand?" This reply accepts your request and asks for more detail, so be ready to point to the exact part. If the explanation is still unclear, «もう一度説明してもらえますか。» means "Can you explain it one more time?" This is a polite way to ask for a repeat without saying the first explanation was bad. In a longer exchange, «この文の意味がわかりません。» means "I don't understand the meaning of this sentence," which answers the question in «はい、いいですよ。どこがわからないんですか。» by naming the problem. Then «わかりました。じゃあ、一緒に考えましょう。» means "I see. Then let's think about it together." This reply shows the other person will work through it with you rather than simply give the answer.
Putting the exchange together
A full homework-help exchange can follow a simple order. First you make a request, as in «すみません、この問題を説明してもらえますか。», which means "Excuse me, can you explain this problem?" The other person accepts and asks what is unclear, as in «はい、いいですよ。どこがわからないんですか。». You name the difficult sentence with «この文の意味がわかりません。», and the other person suggests working on it together with «わかりました。じゃあ、一緒に考えましょう。». If you still need more, you can ask again with «もう一度説明してもらえますか。». The roles are easy to remember: the person who asks for help uses the request and the statement of difficulty, while the person who helps uses the acceptance and the suggestion to work together. You can practice both roles, but the order of the exchange stays the same.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
この問題を説明してもらえますか。
Can you explain this problem?
Kono mondai o setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。
Can you teach me how to solve this problem?
Kono mondai no tokikata o oshiete moraemasu ka.
すみません、この文の意味がわかりません。
Excuse me, I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.
Sumimasen, kono bun no imi ga wakarimasen.
もう一度説明してもらえますか。
Can you explain it one more time?
Mō ichido setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、この問題を説明してもらえますか。
Excuse me, can you explain this problem?はい、いいですよ。どこがわからないんですか。
Yes, that's fine. What part don't you understand?この文の意味がわかりません。
I don't understand the meaning of this sentence.わかりました。じゃあ、一緒に考えましょう。
I see. Then let's think about it together.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided request exchange
Imagine you are a student who cannot solve a homework problem. Your partner plays a teacher or classmate. Read your part aloud, then listen to your partner's reply.
Your task: Student: say the line that means "Excuse me, can you explain this problem?" Partner: say the line that means "Yes, that's fine. What part don't you understand?" Student: say the line that means "I don't understand the meaning of this sentence." Partner: say the line that means "I see. Then let's think about it together."
Choose the right reply
Imagine a classmate has just said the line that means "Excuse me, can you explain this problem?" You are the person helping. Choose the best reply from the two options below.
Your task: Option A: the line that means "Yes, that's fine. What part don't you understand?" Option B: the line that means "Can you explain it one more time?" Say your chosen line aloud, then explain in English why it fits the classmate's request.
Recall the full exchange
Work with a partner. One person is the student asking for help, and the other is the teacher or classmate. Do not look at the lines yet. Try to remember the four steps of the exchange.
Your task: Student: make the request for an explanation. Partner: accept and ask what is unclear. Student: name the sentence you do not understand. Partner: suggest thinking about it together. Say each line aloud in that order.
Common questions
What is the difference between asking for an explanation and asking how to solve a problem?
The line «この問題を説明してもらえますか。» means "Can you explain this problem?" and asks for an explanation of the problem itself. The line «この問題の解き方を教えてもらえますか。» means "Can you teach me how to solve this problem?" and asks for the method or steps to solve it. Choose the first when you want to understand the task, and the second when you want to learn the solving process.
What should I say if I still do not understand after the first explanation?
You can politely ask for a repeat with «もう一度説明してもらえますか。», which means "Can you explain it one more time?" This asks for the explanation again without criticizing the first attempt. If the other person asks what part is unclear, you can name the difficult sentence with «この文の意味がわかりません。», which means "I don't understand the meaning of this sentence."
Sources and further reading
- japanese: ask for help with homeworkChecked September 2026
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