Must common mistakes made by students when they do not understand the teacher or people they are talking to:
When asking about what the "word" or "phrase" means:
(X) Their means? => Chinese English (O) What does it mean? / What does "priority" mean?
When asking about what the "word" or "phrase" means:
(X) What is your means? => Chinese English (O) Do you mean that... / Do you mean that wax apple tastes sweet?
(X) I don't know. => Explain what you do no know. (O) I don't understand what you mean.
When saying / clarifying what you mean: (X) I means... / I means wax apples are sweeter than apples.
(O) What I mean is... / What I mean is that wax apples are sweeter than apples.
Here's a list of other ways you can ask questions when you don't understand what the other person is saying:
More examples of how to ask for clarification:
Could you say that again, please?
Sorry?
Pardon? / I beg your pardon?
Come again?
I don't understand what you mean.
Excuse me, what did you say?
Can you repeat that, please?
Please say that again.
Could you repeat that more slowly, please?
Could you speak more slowly, please?
Ask for clarification at work (formal way):
Formal way of asking people to repeat the sentence (at work):
Sorry, I didn't hear what you said.
Sorry, I didn't catch that.
Could you please repeat that? / Could you repeat that please? (Use "could" instead of "can")
Formal way of saying you understand now:
Now, I see. Thank you
Formal way of asking for clarification/explain more on the topic:
Sorry, what did you mean by that?
Could you be more specific?
Can you explain a little more on what you mean?
Formal way of explaining your idea to others:
Let me explain...
What I mean is... What I'm trying to say is...
Your turn! Try these questions!
Presenter: This graph shows the percentage of people who spend money on entertainment, food, and necessities. // You: __________________ (ask about what the presenter means by "necessities").
Colleague: I don't understand what you mean. // You: ______________ (explaining your thoughts/ideas more clearly).
Teacher: The wax apple is very crisp and crunchy. // You: _____________ (ask about what crisp and crunchy means).
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