New here? This is lesson 11 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Say what? I don't understand in English
Ana is back at the Blue Plate in Logan Square, Chicago. Dee calls her hon, and Ana does not know that word.
Murray starts to explain, then forgets what he wants to say. Dee keeps it short. Hon is short for honey, a friendly word for someone.
You'll ask about a new word and check your guess. You'll also say how much English you understand.
Sorry, what? helps when you miss someone's words.
By the end of this lesson
Say you do not understand, ask what a word means, and say how much English you understand.
- I don't understand.the words are not clear to you
- What does ___ mean?you ask the meaning of a word
- Do you mean ___?you check the meaning you guessed
- I only understand a little.your English is still new
- I don't know that word.this word is new to you
- Sorry, what?you missed what they said
Scene — hon at the counter
Ana stands by the counter at the Blue Plate on Larch Street. Dee holds the coffee pot and calls her hon.
Murray sits on two stools with eggs and his unfinished black coffee. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — when a word is new
Six short lines help when a word is new. You can ask about its meaning and check your guess.
You can also tell someone how much English you understand.
I don't understand.
the words are not clear to you
When to use it: Say this when you hear the words but do not know what they mean.
Learn it as one piece to ask for help with meaning.
Say it: Stress the last part of understand.
What does ___ mean?
you ask the meaning of a word
When to use it: Ask this when you need a word's meaning.
Put the word you want to ask about in the blank.
Do you mean ___?
you check the meaning you guessed
When to use it: Say this to check your guess about someone's meaning.
Put your guess in the blank.
I only understand a little.
your English is still new
When to use it: Say this to tell someone how much English you understand.
Learn it as one piece when you understand some English.
I don't know that word.
this word is new to you
When to use it: Say this when someone uses a word you do not know.
Learn it as one piece to point out one new word.
Sorry, what?
you missed what they said
When to use it: Say this when you did not hear someone's words.
Learn it as one piece when you miss someone's words.
Say it: Stress what.
Story — what hon means
Dee uses a friendly word that Ana does not know. Ana answers her question, then asks about the word.
Murray tries to help, but his answer stops halfway.
- Dee looks up as Ana reaches the counter.
DeeHi, hon. How are you?Dee greets Ana and asks how she feels.
AnaI'm good, thanks. I don't know that word.Ana feels fine, but one word is new to her.- DeeWhich word, hon?Dee asks Ana to name the word.
- AnaWhat does hon mean?Ana asks about the word Dee calls her.
- DeeIt's sweet. You put it on toast.Dee describes the longer word without saying it.
- AnaDo you mean honey?Ana checks the word she thinks Dee means.
- Ana looks for a jar of honey on the counter.
- DeeYes, hon.Dee says Ana heard the right word.
MurrayWell, honey means... wait. Where was I?Murray starts to explain, then forgets what he wants to say.- AnaI don't understand. I only understand a little.Ana needs help because she understands only a small amount of English.
- DeeA friendly word, hon. Have a seat.Dee explains that she is being friendly and asks Ana to sit.
- A plate falls behind the counter, and Ana misses Dee's last words.
- AnaSorry, what?you missed what they said
- DeeHave a seat.please sit down
Practice — a little English
Try these eleven short exercises. Listen, choose a meaning, fill a gap, and put words together.
You'll also practice a few lines from earlier lessons.
0 of 11 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
I don't understand.
Match the pairs
English
What does ___ mean?Drop the Simple English hereDo you mean ___?Drop the Simple English hereI only understand a little.Drop the Simple English hereSorry, what?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
A plate falls while Dee speaks, and you do not hear her words.
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
your English is still new
I only understand a ____.
Build the line
Build the line
this word is new to you
.
Tap the words in order.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Do you mean ___?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You hear Dee's words, but you do not know what she means.
I don't ____.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You do not know how Dee feels; ask her.
True or false?
True or false?
This line tells someone you feel fine.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
please sit down
Have a ____.
Say it — ask her
Now you're Ana at the diner. Answer Dee's question first, then ask about the word she calls you.
Tap play to hear a line, then tap the microphone to record your turn.
- DeeHi, hon. How are you?Dee greets Ana and asks how she feels.
- Ana (you)Tell her you feel fine, and thank her.
Tell her you feel fine, and thank her.
I'm good, thanks.
a short, happy answer to How are you?
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Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I don't understand. | the words are not clear to you | |
| What does ___ mean? | you ask the meaning of a word | |
| Do you mean ___? | you check the meaning you guessed | |
| I only understand a little. | your English is still new | |
| I don't know that word. | this word is new to you | |
| Sorry, what? | you missed what they said |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Keep these lines ready with the Yak Cards for this lesson and practice them again tomorrow.
Try a short round each day so you can ask for help when a word is new.
Open Yak Cards