Learn Japanese
6 Japanese phrases to respond when you don’t understand
1. もう一度お願いします。
(もういちどおねがいします。)
(mou ichido onegaishimasu.)
Could you say that again?
→ Polite (everyone you want to show respect)
2. ゆっくり話していただけますか。
(ゆっくりはなしていただけますか。)
(yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka?)
Could you speak more slowly?
→ Polite / very polite (teachers, customers, colleagues, or people you just met)
3. どういう意味ですか。
(どういういみですか。)
(dou iu imi desu ka?)
What does that mean?
→ Neutral-polite (classmates, coworkers, or casual conversations…)
4. すみません、まだ日本語を勉強しています。
(すみません、まだにほんごをべんきょうしています。)
(sumimasen, mada nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.)
Sorry, I’m still learning Japanese.
→ Polite (everyone)
5. 少し考えさせてください。
(すこしかんがえさせてください。)
(sukoshi kangae sasete kudasai.)
Please give me a moment to think.
→ Polite (discussions, meetings, interviews, or when someone asks you a difficult question)
6. ちょっと待ってください、まだよく分かりません。
(ちょっとまってください、まだよくわかりません。)
(chotto matte kudasai, mada yoku wakarimasen.)
Please wait a moment, I don’t quite understand yet.
→ Neutral-polite (classmates, coworkers, or casual conversations…)
These simple phrases help you keep the conversation flowing naturally instead of freezing up. They’re also very easy to remember, and using them regularly can help you build real speaking confidence.
Related Post:
5 ways to say “sorry” in Japanese
Important Daily Life Short Sentences (JLPT N5)
