Japanese - Asking for Clarification

わかりません

Wakarimasen.

I don't understand.

Meaning: I don't understand.

When to use: Use this when you do not understand the meaning or content of what someone said. Polite spoken form.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say わからない (casual) in polite contexts; use わかりません with strangers or teachers.

もう一度言ってもらえますか。

Mō ichido itte moraemasu ka.

Can you repeat that?

Meaning: Can you repeat that?

When to use: A polite way to ask someone to repeat something they said. You can also say もう一度お願いします.

もう少しゆっくり話してもらえますか。

Mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite moraemasu ka.

Can you speak more slowly?

Meaning: Can you speak more slowly?

When to use: Use this when you understand some words but the speed is too fast. It's a polite request to slow down.

___はどういう意味ですか。

___ wa dō iu imi desu ka.

What does ___ mean?

Meaning: What does ___ mean?

When to use: Put the word or phrase you want explained in the blank. Use this to ask the meaning of a word or expression politely.

Tip: Don't forget to insert the target word before は; saying は alone makes the question incomplete.

___は英語で何と言いますか。

___ wa eigo de nan to iimasu ka.

How do you say ___ in English?

Meaning: How do you say ___ in English?

When to use: Put the Japanese word or phrase in the blank to ask how to express it in English politely.

それを書いてもらえますか。

Sore o kaite moraemasu ka.

Can you write it down?

Meaning: Can you write it down?

When to use: Use this when you want the speaker to write the information (a word, address, time) so you can read it later.

Tip: Beginner learners sometimes omit the particle を; include を after the object (それを / それを書いて).

___ですか、それとも___ですか。

___ desu ka, soretomo ___ desu ka.

Is it ___ or ___?

Meaning: Is it ___ or ___?

When to use: Use this pattern to check between two possible words or answers. Put the two choices into the blanks.

___という意味ですか。

___ to iu imi desu ka.

Do you mean ___?

Meaning: Do you mean ___?

When to use: Put the idea you want to confirm into the blank. Use to check your understanding of someone's intention.

かんたんな言葉で言ってください。

Kantan na kotoba de itte kudasai.

Please use simple words.

Meaning: Please use simple words.

When to use: Use this when the other person's language is too complicated — ask them to explain with easier vocabulary.

少ししかわかりません。

Sukoshi shika wakarimasen.

I only understand a little.

Meaning: I only understand a little.

When to use: Say this when you understand part of what was said. A gentler alternative is 少しだけわかります.

その言葉はわかりません。

Sono kotoba wa wakarimasen.

I don't know that word.

Meaning: I don’t know that word.

When to use: Use その言葉はわかりません to point to a word that you don't know (the word just mentioned or shown).

___を説明してもらえますか。

___ o setsumei shite moraemasu ka.

Can you explain ___?

Meaning: Can you explain ___?

When to use: Put the thing you want explained before を. This politely asks for an explanation.

スペルを教えてもらえますか。

Superu o oshiete moraemasu ka.

Can you spell that?

Meaning: Can you spell that?

When to use: Use this when you need the spelling of a word, often for English or alphabet-based words.