Simplified Chinese - Clarification

你能换个说法吗？

Nǐ néng huàn ge shuōfǎ ma?

Can you say it another way?

Meaning: Can you say it another way?

When to use: Use this to ask someone to explain or rephrase something you don't understand. It's polite and very useful when a speaker uses difficult words or speaks quickly.

哪一个

Nǎ yí ge?

Which one?

Meaning: Which one?

When to use: Use this short question when you want someone to point out which item they mean. In spoken Chinese it's very common and quick.

这样吗

Zhèyàng ma?

Like this?

Meaning: Like this?

When to use: Use this to check the way someone wants something done — a gesture, a drawing, or an example. It's a quick, casual confirmation.

Tip: Sometimes learners mix this with 这样对吗？ — 这样吗？ is more about showing an example.

这样对吗

Zhèyàng duì ma?

Is this correct?

Meaning: Is this correct?

When to use: Use this to check whether something (an answer, a way of doing something, written text) is correct. Slightly more formal than 这样吗？ for correctness.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 这样吗？ for correctness; use 这样对吗？ when you want a clear yes/no on correctness.

这个词是什么意思？

Zhè ge cí shì shénme yìsi?

What is this word?

Meaning: What is this word?

When to use: Use this when you see a written word you don't understand — on signs, menus, or in texts. It's the most natural way to ask for a word's meaning.

我听不清

Wǒ tīng bu qīng.

I can't hear you.

Meaning: I can't hear you.

When to use: Say this when the speaker's voice is too low, the signal is bad, or there's background noise — on calls, in crowds, or when someone mumbles.

你说的是___吗？

Nǐ shuō de shì ___ ma?

You said ___?

Meaning: You said ___?

When to use: Use this to check whether you heard a particular word or short phrase correctly. Fill the blank with the word you think you heard.

这个吗

Zhè ge ma?

This one?

Meaning: This one?

When to use: Point at or hold an object and use this phrase to confirm whether it's the item the other person meant.