Introduction
Knowing how to politely ask someone to repeat themselves is essential in any language. This article explains multiple natural ways to say Can you say that again? in Spanish, from formal to casual, with pronunciation tips, cultural notes, and sample dialogues to help English-speaking learners feel confident in real conversations.
Common phrases: polite and direct
Begin with phrases that are useful in most situations, especially when you want to be polite or when you are speaking to someone you do not know well. These expressions are clear, respectful, and widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries.
Formal and neutral options
¿Puede repetir eso? is the most direct and polite way to ask someone to repeat something in a neutral register. Use it with strangers, colleagues, or in service interactions.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-deh reh-peh-teer ah-soh.
Example:
Perdón, ¿puede repetir eso?
¿Puede decirlo otra vez? is another formal option. Literally it means Can you say it again? and works well in professional contexts.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-deh deh-seer-loh oh-trah behs.
Example:
No entendí la última parte, ¿puede decirlo otra vez?
Slightly more casual but still polite
¿Me lo puede repetir? adds a personal angle by including me. It translates to Can you repeat it for me? and feels polite without sounding overly formal.
Pronunciation tip: Meh loh pweh-deh reh-peh-teer.
Example:
Perdón, ¿me lo puede repetir? No escuché bien.
¿Puede repetir, por favor? simply tacks on por favor to be extra courteous. Use this in both spoken and written requests when you want to be courteous.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-deh reh-peh-teer por fah-vor.
Example:
No capté la explicación, ¿puede repetir, por favor?
Casual and colloquial ways
With friends, family, or people your own age, Spanish speakers often use shorter, more relaxed phrases. These are perfect for informal conversations and quick clarifications.
Short and common phrases
¿Otra vez? is a very casual way to ask Again? or One more time? It is quick and widely used among friends.
Pronunciation tip: Oh-trah behs.
Example:
No escuché lo que dijiste, ¿otra vez?
¿Qué dijiste? means What did you say? and works when you want the other person to repeat or rephrase what they said. It is informal and direct.
Pronunciation tip: Keh dee-hee-steh.
Example:
Perdón, ¿qué dijiste? No te oí bien.
Regional slang and friendly phrases
In some countries you might hear phrases like ¿Cómo? or ¿Cómo dices? to ask someone to repeat themselves. These are very informal and common in everyday speech.
Pronunciation tip: Koh-moh / Koh-moh dee-ses.
Example:
En una conversación rápida, alguien puede decir ¿cómo? cuando no escucha algo.
Another friendly expression is ¿Puedes repetir eso otra vez? with slight emphasis for clarity. It is still casual but polite among acquaintances.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-dess reh-peh-teer ah-soh oh-trah behs.
Example:
Hablando por teléfono: ¿puedes repetir eso otra vez?
Asking for clarification: alternative requests
Sometimes you need more than a repeat. Use variations that ask for slower speech, simpler words, or a written version. These are especially useful for learners or noisy environments.
Ask someone to speak slower
¿Puede hablar más despacio? asks Can you speak more slowly? This helps when the problem is speed rather than volume.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-deh ah-blahr mahs dehs-pah-see-oh.
Example:
Lo siento, ¿puede hablar más despacio? Soy estudiante de español.
¿Puedes hablar más despacio? is the informal version. Use it with friends or peers.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-dess ah-blahr mahs dehs-pah-see-oh.
Example:
En clase: ¿puedes hablar más despacio? Gracias.
Ask for simpler language or spelling
¿Puede repetirlo en palabras más simples? asks Can you repeat it in simpler words? This is helpful when vocabulary or idioms are the obstacle.
Pronunciation tip: Pweh-deh reh-peh-teer-loh en pahr-ah-brahs mahs seem-ples.
Example:
No conozco esa palabra, ¿puede repetirlo en palabras más simples?
¿Cómo se escribe? asks How is it written? Useful if you miss a word and want the spelling or to see it written down.
Pronunciation tip: Koh-moh seh eh-scree-beh.
Example:
No entendí la dirección, ¿cómo se escribe?
Politeness and tone: what to consider
Choosing the right phrase depends on context, relationship, and tone. Spanish has formal and informal registers, and small changes alter how the request is perceived.
Use usted vs tú
In formal or respectful contexts use the usted form: ¿puede repetir? In casual settings use tú: ¿puedes repetir? Always match the level of formality to the situation: elders, supervisors, or strangers often prefer usted.
Adding courtesy
Adding por favor or a short apology like perdón softens the request: Perdón, ¿puede repetir eso, por favor? This is both polite and clear in most cultures.
Body language and tone
In face-to-face interactions, natural gestures and a friendly tone can make even brief phrases sound polite. Nodding, tilting your head, or raising your eyebrows shows attentiveness and encourages the speaker to repeat or rephrase.
Examples in short dialogues
Seeing phrases in context helps you remember and use them naturally. Below are short dialogues with common situations and appropriate responses.
At a cafe:
Cliente: Perdón, ¿puede repetir el pedido?
Camarero: Claro, dije que pedíste un café con leche y una tostada.
On the phone:
Persona A: No te escucho bien.
Persona B: ¿Puedes repetir?
Persona A: Sí, digo que llegaré a las seis.
With a friend after a fast comment:
Amigo 1: Lo hice ayer.
Amigo 2: ¿Qué dijiste?
Amigo 1: Que lo entregué ayer por la tarde.
Pronunciation tips and listening practice
Improving your ear helps you rely less on repeating. Familiarize yourself with common sounds, rhythm, and reductions in spoken Spanish.
Listen for connected speech where words run together. For example, puede repetir often sounds like pweh-deh-reh-peh-teer. Practicing with podcasts, songs, and slow-speed audio helps you recognize whole phrases faster, reducing the need to ask for repeats.
When you do ask for repetition, be specific. Say ¿puede decirlo otra vez más despacio? if you need both a repeat and slower speech. This saves time and helps the speaker give you what you need.
Usage notes and common pitfalls
Avoid overusing a single phrase. Variety makes you sound more natural and adaptable. Also be cautious with very blunt expressions like ¿cómo? in formal settings, as they can seem abrupt.
Be mindful of regional differences. While phrases like ¿puede repetir? and ¿puedes repetir? are universally understood, slang or very short forms may be less common in certain countries. When in doubt, use the neutral forms and add por favor.
Remember that Spanish speakers often paraphrase rather than repeat word-for-word. If someone answers with a summary, listen for main ideas and ask follow-up questions such as ¿qué significa eso? or ¿puede dar un ejemplo?
Quick cheat sheet
Here are fast options to use depending on formality and need:
Formal: ¿Puede repetir eso? / ¿Puede decirlo otra vez?
Informal: ¿Puedes repetir? / ¿Otra vez?
Slower speech: ¿Puede hablar más despacio?
Simpler words: ¿Puede repetirlo en palabras más simples?
Written form: ¿Cómo se escribe?
Conclusion
Asking Can you say that again? in Spanish is easy once you learn a few reliable phrases and understand when to use them. Use formal forms with strangers, casual forms with friends, and add por favor or perdón for politeness. Practice listening, adjust tone, and try the sample dialogues to build confidence in everyday conversations.
