English - Clarification

Lesson 7 of 139

A learner smiles while asking a friendly question in English, showing the lesson topic of clarification.

Goal: Simple phrases for when English gets too fast, too new, or too fuzzy.

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome back! Today you learn what to say when you do not understand. Very useful, very real, and very normal.

Level A1: This lesson gives you friendly phrases for communication trouble: asking someone to repeat, slow down, explain, spell, or write something. You will also practice checking choices like “Is it this or that?” and saying when you only understand a little. Think of it as your “help, but make it polite” toolkit.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Say clearly when you do not understand.
  • Ask someone to repeat, slow down, spell, or write information.
  • Ask about unknown words and check your understanding.
  • Use A1 clarification phrases in a short conversation.
A person at a help desk asks for information to be repeated slowly during English learning practice.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

I don't understand.

Say that you do not understand

Meaning: Say that you do not understand.

When to use: Use this when the message is not clear to you.

Tip: Do not say “I no understand.” Say: “I don't understand.”

I don't understand. Can you repeat that?
The speaker says they do not understand and asks for repetition.
Sorry, I don't understand.
A polite way to say the message is not clear.

Can you repeat that?

Ask someone to repeat information

Meaning: Ask someone to repeat information.

When to use: Use this when you did not hear or catch something.

Can you repeat that? I didn't hear the number.
The speaker asks to hear the information again.
Sorry, can you repeat that?
A simple polite request to hear something again.

Can you speak more slowly?

Ask someone to speak at a slower speed

Meaning: Ask someone to speak at a slower speed.

When to use: Use this when the other person is speaking too fast.

Can you speak more slowly? I only understand a little.
The speaker asks for slower speech.
Please, can you speak more slowly?
A polite way to ask for a slower speed.

What does ___ mean?

Ask the meaning of a word or phrase

Meaning: Ask the meaning of a word or phrase.

When to use: Use this when you see or hear a word you do not know.

Tip: Use “does” here: “What does this mean?” not “What do this mean?”

What does “receipt” mean?
The speaker asks for the meaning of the word “receipt.”
What does “platform” mean?
The speaker asks for the meaning of the word “platform.”

How do you say ___ in English?

Ask how to express something in English

Meaning: Ask how to express something in English.

When to use: Use this when you know an idea but need the English word or phrase.

How do you say this in English?
The speaker asks for the English word or phrase for something.
How do you say my address in English?
The speaker asks how to say their address in English.

Can you write it down?

Ask someone to write information

Meaning: Ask someone to write information.

When to use: Use this when spoken information is difficult, such as a name, address, or number.

Can you write it down? The address is difficult.
The speaker asks the other person to write the address.
Can you write it down, please?
A polite request for written information.

Is it ___ or ___?

Check between two possible words or answers

Meaning: Check between two possible words or answers.

When to use: Use this when you are choosing between two things you heard or understood.

Is it Monday or Tuesday?
The speaker checks which day is correct.
Is it bus 10 or bus 20?
The speaker checks between two bus numbers.

Do you mean ___?

Check your understanding of what someone means

Meaning: Check your understanding of what someone means.

When to use: Use this when you want to confirm an idea.

Do you mean the train station?
The speaker checks if they understood the place correctly.
Do you mean now?
The speaker checks if the time is correct.

Please use simple words.

Ask someone to use easier language

Meaning: Ask someone to use easier language.

When to use: Use this when the words are too difficult.

Please use simple words. I am learning English.
The speaker asks for easier words.
Please use simple words. I don't know that word.
The speaker asks for simpler language because one word is unknown.

I only understand a little.

say partial understanding

Meaning: Say that you understand only a small amount.

When to use: Use this when you understand some, but not everything.

I only understand a little. Can you speak more slowly?
The speaker explains their level and asks for slower speech.
Sorry, I only understand a little.
A simple way to explain limited understanding.

I don't know that word.

say a word is unknown

Meaning: Say that a word is unknown to you.

When to use: Use this when one word is new or confusing.

I don't know that word. What does it mean?
The speaker says a word is unknown and asks for meaning.
I don't know that word. Can you explain it?
The speaker asks for help with an unknown word.

Can you explain ___?

ask for an explanation

Meaning: Ask for an explanation.

When to use: Use this when you need more information about a word, idea, or instruction.

Can you explain the form?
The speaker asks for an explanation of a form.
Can you explain this word?
The speaker asks someone to explain a word.

Can you spell that?

ask for spelling

Meaning: Ask for spelling.

When to use: Use this for names, addresses, emails, or unfamiliar words.

Can you spell that? I need to write it down.
The speaker asks for spelling so they can write correctly.
Your name is new to me. Can you spell that?
The speaker asks how to spell a name.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna is at a small hotel desk. David is helping her with a booking note.

Anna and David have a short English conversation where Anna asks David to repeat, explain, and spell a word.

What does Anna need help understanding?

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Your room is on the third floor, next to the lift.

David gives hotel information.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Sorry, I don't understand. Can you repeat that?

Anna says she does not understand and asks David to repeat.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Of course. Your room is on the third floor.

David repeats the main information.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

What does “lift” mean?

Anna asks about an unknown word.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

It means elevator. Do you mean you want me to show you?

David explains the word and checks Anna's meaning.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Yes, please. And can you write it down?

Anna confirms and asks David to write the information.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

You do not understand the sentence. What can you say?

Someone says a phone number too fast. What is the best request?

You hear a new word: “receipt.” What can you ask?

You are not sure if the person said bus 10 or bus 20. What can you say?

Anna asks someone to write the difficult address.

Anna hears the address, but it is too fast. She says: “___ The address is difficult.”

Anna asks David to use easier language.

David uses a difficult word. Anna says: “___ I am learning English.”

Anna says she understands only a little and asks for slower speech.

Anna understands some words, but not all. She says: “___ Can you speak more slowly?”

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

I don't understand.

Say that you do not understand.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you repeat that?

Ask someone to repeat information.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you speak more slowly?

Ask someone to speak at a slower speed.

Say this phrase out loud:

What does ___ mean?

Ask the meaning of a word or phrase.

Say this phrase out loud:

How do you say ___ in English?

Ask how to express something in English.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you write it down?

Ask someone to write information.

Say this phrase out loud:

Is it ___ or ___?

Check between two possible words or answers.

Say this phrase out loud:

Do you mean ___?

Check your understanding of what someone means.

Say this phrase out loud:

Please use simple words.

Ask someone to use easier language.

Say this phrase out loud:

I only understand a little.

Say partial understanding.

Say this phrase out loud:

I don't know that word.

Say a word is unknown.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you explain ___?

Ask for an explanation.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you spell that?

Ask for spelling.