Ready to rescue a conversation when things get fuzzy? This short lesson gives you polite, natural ways to ask for repeats and clearer explanations in German. Have fun — clarity is a great conversation skill.
Level A2: In this lesson you'll practice common German phrases for conversation repair — asking someone to repeat, to write or spell something, checking understanding, and correcting mistakes. These are CEFR-aligned practical tools you can use right away when you don't hear or understand. We'll listen, practice quick quizzes, and then say each phrase out loud.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Recognize and use polite phrases to ask someone to repeat or clarify (Level A2).
Signal partial understanding or ask for simpler explanations.
Make small corrections and ask for spelling or examples to improve comprehension.
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.
Entschuldigung, kannst du das bitte wiederholen?
Sorry, can you repeat that?
Meaning: Sorry, can you repeat that?
When to use: Ask someone to say something again when you didn't hear or missed it. Informal 'du'.
Entschuldigung, kannst du das bitte wiederholen? Ich habe den letzten Satz nicht gehört.
Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn't hear the last sentence.
Entschuldigung, kannst du das bitte wiederholen? Die Verbindung war kurz schlecht.
Sorry, can you repeat that? The connection was briefly bad.
Das habe ich nicht verstanden.
I didn't catch that.
Meaning: I didn't catch that.
When to use: Say when you didn't understand or didn't hear something clearly.
Das habe ich nicht verstanden. Kannst du das noch einmal erklären?
I didn't catch that. Can you explain it once more?
Das habe ich nicht verstanden — welches Datum meinst du genau?
I didn't catch that — which date do you mean exactly?
Kannst du das bitte aufschreiben?
Can you write it down, please?
Meaning: Can you write it down, please?
When to use: Ask someone to write information so you can read it later. Informal 'du'.
Kannst du das bitte aufschreiben? Dann vergesse ich es nicht.
Can you write that down, please? Then I won't forget it.
Die Adresse ist kompliziert. Kannst du das bitte aufschreiben?
The address is complicated. Can you write it down, please?
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob ich das verstehe.
I'm not sure I understand.
Meaning: I'm not sure I understand.
When to use: Use a cautious phrase to signal you may not fully grasp what was said.
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob ich das verstehe. Kannst du das noch einmal langsam sagen?
I'm not sure I understand. Can you say that slowly again?
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob ich das verstehe — was bedeutet dieses Wort hier?
I'm not sure I understand — what does this word here mean?
Kannst du das einfacher erklären?
Can you explain it more simply?
Meaning: Can you explain it more simply?
When to use: Ask for a simpler explanation or a plain-language version. Informal 'du'.
Kannst du das einfacher erklären? Ich kenne das Wort nicht.
Can you explain it more simply? I don't know that word.
Der Plan ist kompliziert. Kannst du das einfacher erklären?
The plan is complicated. Can you explain it more simply?
Ich kenne das Wort für ___ nicht.
I don't know the word for ___.
Meaning: I don't know the word for ___.
When to use: Signal that a specific word is missing and ask for help. Use 'für' + accusative.
Tip: Beginner mistake: forgetting 'für' or the correct case after 'für'.
Ich kenne das Wort für dieses Werkzeug nicht. Wie heißt es auf Deutsch?
I don't know the word for this tool. What's it called in German?
Ich kenne das Wort für das Gefühl nicht — kannst du mir helfen?
I don't know the word for that feeling — can you help me?
Kannst du das bitte buchstabieren?
Can you spell that, please?
Meaning: Can you spell that, please?
When to use: Ask someone to spell a word or name so you can write it correctly. Informal 'du'.
Kannst du das bitte buchstabieren? Ich habe den Namen nicht verstanden.
Can you spell that, please? I didn't catch the name.
Die E-Mail war undeutlich. Kannst du das bitte buchstabieren?
The email was unclear. Can you spell it, please?
Kannst du mir ein Beispiel geben?
Can you give me an example?
Meaning: Can you give me an example?
When to use: Ask for an example to make meaning clearer or more concrete. Informal 'du'.
Kannst du mir ein Beispiel geben? Dann verstehe ich es besser.
Can you give me an example? Then I understand better.
Wenn möglich, kannst du mir ein Beispiel geben, das kurz ist?
If possible, can you give me a short example?
Habe ich das richtig verstanden?
Did I understand correctly?
Meaning: Did I understand correctly?
When to use: Check your understanding to confirm details or plans.
Habe ich das richtig verstanden: Wir treffen uns am Freitag?
Did I understand correctly: We meet on Friday?
Habe ich das richtig verstanden, dass der Kurs um 10 Uhr beginnt?
Did I understand correctly that the course starts at 10?
Ich habe nur einen Teil verstanden.
I only understood part of that.
Meaning: I only understood part of that.
When to use: Say when you understood some but not all, to invite clarification.
Ich habe nur einen Teil verstanden. Kannst du den Rest noch einmal erklären?
I only understood part of that. Can you explain the rest again?
Ich habe nur einen Teil verstanden; was bedeutet das am Ende genau?
I only understood part; what does the ending mean exactly?
Kann ich das anders sagen?
Can I say it another way?
Meaning: Can I say it another way?
When to use: Ask permission to reformulate your message to be clearer.
Kann ich das anders sagen? Vielleicht ist das klarer.
Can I say it another way? Maybe that's clearer.
Wenn das zu kompliziert ist: Kann ich das anders sagen?
If that's too complicated: can I say it another way?
Ich versuch’s nochmal.
Let me try again.
Meaning: Let me try again.
When to use: Use when you want to restart or rephrase after a communication problem.
Ich versuch’s nochmal, diesmal langsamer.
Let me try again, this time more slowly.
Okay, ich versuch’s nochmal: Wir treffen uns um zehn Uhr.
Okay, let me try again: We meet at ten o'clock.
Nicht ___, sondern ___.
Not ___, but ___.
Meaning: Not ___, but ___.
When to use: Correct an incorrect item by replacing it with the right one; use 'sondern' after a negation.
Tip: Beginners sometimes use 'aber' instead of 'sondern' after a negative; use 'sondern' for correct contrast.
Nicht 'heute', sondern 'morgen'.
Not 'today', but 'tomorrow'.
Nicht zwei, sondern drei Personen kommen.
Not two, but three people are coming.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna didn't catch the meeting details and asks David to repeat and write them down.
What does Anna ask David to do at the start?
Anna
Entschuldigung, kannst du das bitte wiederholen?
Sorry, can you repeat that?
David
Ja. Ich sagte: Der Treffpunkt ist vor dem Bahnhof.
Yes. I said: The meeting place is in front of the train station.
Anna
Ich habe nur einen Teil verstanden. Kannst du das bitte aufschreiben?
I only understood part of that. Can you write it down, please?
David
Sicher. Nicht vor dem Museum, sondern vor dem Bahnhof.
Sure. Not in front of the museum, but in front of the train station.
Anna
Habe ich das richtig verstanden?
Did I understand that correctly?
David
Ja. Ich versuch’s nochmal: Samstag um 12, vor dem Bahnhof.
Yes. Let me try again: Saturday at 12, in front of the train station.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase asks someone to write something down?
Which phrase means 'Did I understand correctly?'
Which phrase asks for a simpler explanation?
Which phrase is used to replace an incorrect item with the correct one?
If you didn't hear the speaker, you can say: 'Das habe ich nicht verstanden.'
If you didn't hear the speaker, you can say: ___.
To confirm details after hearing them, ask: 'Habe ich das richtig verstanden?'
To confirm details after hearing them, ask: ___.
If a name is unclear and you want each letter, say: 'Kannst du das bitte buchstabieren?'
If a name is unclear and you want each letter, say: ___.
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.
