Traditional Chinese - Lesson 96 of 152: Checking Understanding

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

你了解嗎

Nǐ liǎojiě ma?

Do you understand?

Meaning: 你了解嗎？ (Nǐ liǎojiě ma?) means “Do you understand?” It is direct, but a bit softer than asking with 懂.

When to use: Use it after explaining information and you want to confirm the other person understands.

Tip: Be careful with your tone. If said too sharply, it can sound like you are testing the person.

我先講一次流程，你了解嗎？

Wǒ xiān jiǎng yí cì liúchéng, nǐ liǎojiě ma?

I’ll explain the process once first. Do you understand?

這個規則很重要，你了解嗎？

Zhège guīzé hěn zhòngyào, nǐ liǎojiě ma?

This rule is important. Do you understand?

這樣清楚嗎

Zhèyàng qīngchǔ ma?

Is that clear?

Meaning: 這樣清楚嗎？ (Zhèyàng qīngchǔ ma?) means “Is that clear?”

When to use: Use it after you explain something and want to know if the explanation was clear.

你先按這裡，再按確認，這樣清楚嗎？

Nǐ xiān àn zhèlǐ, zài àn quèrèn, zhèyàng qīngchǔ ma?

First press here, then press confirm. Is that clear?

我剛剛說的是明天的時間，這樣清楚嗎？

Wǒ gānggāng shuō de shì míngtiān de shíjiān, zhèyàng qīngchǔ ma?

What I just said was tomorrow’s time. Is that clear?

你還跟得上嗎

Nǐ hái gēn de shàng ma?

Are you with me?

Meaning: 你還跟得上嗎？ (Nǐ hái gēn de shàng ma?) means “Are you with me?” or “Can you still follow?”

When to use: Use it when you are explaining something step by step and want to check the listener is not lost.

Tip: 跟得上 is about following the pace or progress, not physically following someone on the street.

我講得有點快，你還跟得上嗎？

Wǒ jiǎng de yǒudiǎn kuài, nǐ hái gēn de shàng ma?

I’m speaking a little fast. Are you still with me?

我們現在看第二個步驟，你還跟得上嗎？

Wǒmen xiànzài kàn dì èr ge bùzhòu, nǐ hái gēn de shàng ma?

Now we’re looking at step two. Are you still following?

你懂我的意思嗎？

Nǐ dǒng wǒ de yìsi ma?

Do you know what I mean?

Meaning: 你懂我的意思嗎？ (Nǐ dǒng wǒ de yìsi ma?) means “Do you know what I mean?”

When to use: Use it when you want to check whether someone understands your real point or intention.

我不是說你錯，我只是覺得可以再想一下，你懂我的意思嗎？

Wǒ bú shì shuō nǐ cuò, wǒ zhǐshì juéde kěyǐ zài xiǎng yíxià, nǐ dǒng wǒ de yìsi ma?

I’m not saying you’re wrong. I just think we can think about it more. Do you know what I mean?

我想要簡單一點的版本，你懂我的意思嗎？

Wǒ xiǎng yào jiǎndān yìdiǎn de bǎnběn, nǐ dǒng wǒ de yìsi ma?

I want a simpler version. Do you know what I mean?

有問題嗎

Yǒu wèntí ma?

Any questions?

Meaning: 有問題嗎？ (Yǒu wèntí ma?) means “Any questions?”

When to use: Use it after giving information to invite the other person to ask questions.

今天的作業就是這樣，有問題嗎？

Jīntiān de zuòyè jiù shì zhèyàng, yǒu wèntí ma?

That’s it for today’s homework. Any questions?

我先說到這裡，有問題嗎？

Wǒ xiān shuō dào zhèlǐ, yǒu wèntí ma?

I’ll stop here for now. Any questions?

這樣聽得懂嗎

Zhèyàng tīng de dǒng ma?

Did you get that?

Meaning: 這樣聽得懂嗎？ (Zhèyàng tīng de dǒng ma?) means “Did you understand that?” or “Can you understand it this way?”

When to use: Use it to check whether what you just said was understandable.

Tip: Use a gentle voice. This phrase can sound rude if it feels like you are questioning someone’s ability.

我用中文慢慢說，這樣聽得懂嗎？

Wǒ yòng Zhōngwén màn màn shuō, zhèyàng tīng de dǒng ma?

I’ll say it slowly in Chinese. Did you understand that?

我換成比較簡單的說法，這樣聽得懂嗎？

Wǒ huàn chéng bǐjiào jiǎndān de shuōfǎ, zhèyàng tīng de dǒng ma?

I’ll change to a simpler way of saying it. Can you understand it this way?

這樣跟得上嗎

Zhèyàng gēn de shàng ma?

Can you follow me?

Meaning: 這樣跟得上嗎？ (Zhèyàng gēn de shàng ma?) means “Can you follow me?”

When to use: Use it while explaining instructions, steps, or a process.

第一步先登入，第二步選課，這樣跟得上嗎？

Dì yī bù xiān dēngrù, dì èr bù xuǎn kè, zhèyàng gēn de shàng ma?

Step one is log in, step two is choose classes. Can you follow me?

我一邊做一邊說，這樣跟得上嗎？

Wǒ yìbiān zuò yìbiān shuō, zhèyàng gēn de shàng ma?

I’ll do it while explaining. Can you follow me?

這部分清楚嗎

Zhè bùfen qīngchǔ ma?

Is this part clear?

Meaning: 這部分清楚嗎？ (Zhè bùfen qīngchǔ ma?) means “Is this part clear?”

When to use: Use it to check one specific section, step, or point.

這部分清楚嗎？等一下我們再看下一部分。

Zhè bùfen qīngchǔ ma? Děng yíxià wǒmen zài kàn xià yí bùfen.

Is this part clear? In a moment, we’ll look at the next part.

關於付款的部分，這部分清楚嗎？

Guānyú fùkuǎn de bùfen, zhè bùfen qīngchǔ ma?

About the payment part—is this part clear?

要我再說一次嗎？

Yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

Do you want me to repeat that?

Meaning: 要我再說一次嗎？ (Yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?) means “Do you want me to repeat that?”

When to use: Use it when you think the listener may not have heard or understood clearly.

剛剛外面很吵，要我再說一次嗎？

Gānggāng wàimiàn hěn chǎo, yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

It was noisy outside just now. Do you want me to repeat that?

我說得太快了嗎？要我再說一次嗎？

Wǒ shuō de tài kuài le ma? Yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

Did I speak too fast? Do you want me to repeat that?

我這樣說清楚嗎？

Wǒ zhèyàng shuō qīngchǔ ma?

Am I explaining it clearly?

Meaning: 我這樣說清楚嗎？ (Wǒ zhèyàng shuō qīngchǔ ma?) means “Am I explaining it clearly?”

When to use: Use it to check if your way of explaining is easy to understand.

這裡有三個重點，我這樣說清楚嗎？

Zhèlǐ yǒu sān ge zhòngdiǎn, wǒ zhèyàng shuō qīngchǔ ma?

There are three main points here. Am I explaining it clearly?

我用比較簡單的例子說，我這樣說清楚嗎？

Wǒ yòng bǐjiào jiǎndān de lìzi shuō, wǒ zhèyàng shuō qīngchǔ ma?

I’m using a simpler example. Am I explaining it clearly?

到目前為止都還可以嗎？

Dào mùqián wéizhǐ dōu hái kěyǐ ma?

Is everything okay so far?

Meaning: 到目前為止都還可以嗎？ (Dào mùqián wéizhǐ dōu hái kěyǐ ma?) means “Is everything okay so far?”

When to use: Use it to pause during an explanation and check whether the other person is comfortable continuing.

我們先講到這裡，到目前為止都還可以嗎？

Wǒmen xiān jiǎng dào zhèlǐ, dào mùqián wéizhǐ dōu hái kěyǐ ma?

Let’s pause here first. Is everything okay so far?

這個表格有點複雜，到目前為止都還可以嗎？

Zhège biǎogé yǒudiǎn fùzá, dào mùqián wéizhǐ dōu hái kěyǐ ma?

This chart is a bit complicated. Is everything okay so far?

要我再說一次嗎？

Yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

Should I explain it again?

Meaning: 要我再說一次嗎？ (Yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?) can also mean “Should I explain it again?”

When to use: Use it as a simple offer to clarify by saying the explanation again.

如果你不確定，要我再說一次嗎？

Rúguǒ nǐ bù quèdìng, yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

If you’re not sure, should I explain it again?

這個地方比較難，要我再說一次嗎？

Zhège dìfang bǐjiào nán, yào wǒ zài shuō yí cì ma?

This part is harder. Should I explain it again?

要不要我換個方式說？

Yào bú yào wǒ huàn ge fāngshì shuō?

Can I explain it another way?

Meaning: 要不要我換個方式說？ (Yào bú yào wǒ huàn ge fāngshì shuō?) means “Can I explain it another way?”

When to use: Use it when repeating the same words may not help, so you offer a different explanation.

這個例子可能太抽象，要不要我換個方式說？

Zhège lìzi kěnéng tài chōuxiàng, yào bú yào wǒ huàn ge fāngshì shuō?

This example might be too abstract. Can I explain it another way?

你看起來有點困惑，要不要我換個方式說？

Nǐ kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn kùnhuò, yào bú yào wǒ huàn ge fāngshì shuō?

You look a little confused. Can I explain it another way?

Traditional Chinese - Checking Understanding

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

You just explained something and want to ask, “Is that clear?” Which phrase fits best?

You are explaining quickly and want to ask, “Are you still following?” Which phrase fits best?

Someone looks confused, and you want to offer a different explanation. What should you say?

After finishing an explanation, you want to invite questions. Which phrase fits best?

Let’s pause for a moment. Is everything okay so far?

It was noisy outside just now. Do you want me to repeat that?

I’m not criticizing you. Do you know what I mean?

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice