How to Politely Ask Someone to Repeat Something in English
英語で丁寧に聞き直す・もう一度言ってもらう表現
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to say:
When Will You Use This? · いつ使うのか
Here are 6 real situations where you will need to ask someone to repeat:
- In a meeting: When your manager gives instructions and you miss the deadline mentioned.
会議で上司が指示を出した際、締め切りを聞き逃したとき。 - On a phone call: When the connection is unclear and you cannot catch a name or number.
電話の電波が悪く、名前や電話番号が聞き取れないとき。 - At a networking event: When someone introduces themselves and you didn't catch their name.
交流会で自己紹介をされた際、お相手の名前を聞き逃したとき。 - In a noisy café: When background noise makes it hard to hear a colleague or customer.
騒がしいカフェやレストランで、相手の声が聞き取りにくいとき。 - During a video call: When the audio cuts out for a second and you miss part of a sentence.
オンライン会議で音声が一瞬途切れ、文章の一部を聞き逃したとき。 - With new accents: When someone speaks with an unfamiliar accent and you need a moment to adjust.
聞き慣れないアクセントで話され、耳を慣らす時間が必要なとき。
Why It Matters · なぜ大切なのか
- Show active engagement: Asking clearly shows you want to get the details right.
もう一度聞くことは失礼ではなく、むしろ「きちんと理解しようとしている」という良い印象を与えます。 - Prevent costly mistakes: Prevents small misunderstandings from turning into missed deadlines.
小さな聞き間違いが業務上の大きなミスにつながるのを未然に防ぎます。 - Stop guessing: Replace guessing and uncertainty with clear confirmation.
勘に頼るのをやめ、確信を持ってコミュニケーションがとれるようになります。
The Simple Formula for Asking Someone to Repeat · 基本の型
Most repetition requests follow one of three simple patterns:
Why each part works · 各パターンの特徴
- "Sorry" softens the request — Placing an apology first prevents you from sounding abrupt or demanding.
「Sorry」を最初に置くことで柔らかい印象になり、威圧感をなくせます。 - Specify what you missed — Pointing to the bracketed part tells the listener exactly what you need.
聞き取れなかった部分を具体的に伝えると、相手は全文を繰り返さなくて済みます。 - Use "could you" for politeness — Keeps the tone polite and natural in casual or business settings.
「Could you」を使うと、フォーマルな場面でもカジュアルな場面でも自然に聞こえます。
Set Your Vocabulary · 単語を確認しよう
Tap each card to learn essential terms. Grouped into Hearing, Speed, Checking, and Workplace. Click all 24 cards to continue. 聞き返しに必要な単語です。全部タップしてみましょう。
0 / 24 activities tapped
24 Key Words for Asking to Repeat
Study these essential terms categorized for easy learning:
👂 Hearing and Understanding · 聞き取り・理解
⚡ Speed and Clarity · スピード・明瞭さ
✅ Confirming and Checking · 確認する
💼 Workplace Communication · 職場でのやり取り
Verb Selection Tap · 動詞を選ぼう
Choose the correct word to complete each repetition request. 正しい英語を選んで文を完成させましょう。
🎉 Mini-Game Complete!
Phrases Grouped by What You Want to Do
Select the right phrase based on your intent during a conversation:
💬 1) Starting the Request Politely · 会話を丁寧に切り出す
📌 2) Asking About a Specific Part · 具体的な部分を聞き返す
🐢 3) Asking for Slower or Clearer Speech · スピードや明瞭さをお願いする
🔍 4) Confirming What You Heard · 聞いた内容を確認する
✨ 5) Ending Politely After Repetition · お礼を言って締めくくる
Category Phrase Sort · フレーズを分類しよう
Tap a phrase, then tap the correct column: Start Request, Specific/Speed, or Confirm & Thank. フレーズを正しい列に分類しましょう。
🎉 Sorting Complete!
In the Office, With Your Manager · オフィスで上司と会話する
Read both sides aloud. Notice how specifying what was caught and missed keeps the conversation moving smoothly.
On the Phone, With a Coworker · 電話で同僚と話す
Setting: Sarah calls on a bad line to move a meeting. You double-check times and numbers carefully.
Meeting a New Client at a Business Dinner · ビジネスディナーでの会話
Setting: Networking with Kenji Sato. You ask for name repetition, confirm details, and ask for spelling.
What Makes an Answer Sound Natural · 自然に聞こえるコツ
Short or blunt requests can sound sharp. Observe how adding apologies and reasons softens your tone:
Tip 1: Avoid abrupt or demanding commands
Tip 2: Avoid overly short imperative commands
Tip 3: Soften "I didn't hear you"
5 Common Mistakes Japanese Speakers Make · よくある5つの間違い
Avoid these typical communication traps when asking someone to repeat:
Quick Capstone Quiz · 総まとめクイズ
Answer 4 evaluation questions to test your repetition request strategies. 4問のクイズに全問正解しましょう。
🎉 Quick Quiz complete!
Build Your Own Request
Incorporate the simple formula to create an actual request tailored to your situation.
🌟 Diverse Worked Blueprints · 記入例
Lesson Complete! 🏆
Keep going with this topic:
Want to practise again?
Let's try that again! 🌱
No problem — mistakes help you learn. Your hearts are refilled.
大丈夫です。間違いは学びの一部です。ハートが回復しました。