Question
Updated on
Deleted user
4 Dec 2020
Question about English (US)
When someone ask you about a question and you don't understand what it is about, how to reply without sounding rude?
I am not sure of what you need ?
I don't get what you want ?
could you be more specific ? wich one fits the best ? are there even better options ? thank you
When someone ask you about a question and you don't understand what it is about, how to reply without sounding rude?
I am not sure of what you need ?
I don't get what you want ?
could you be more specific ? wich one fits the best ? are there even better options ? thank you
I am not sure of what you need ?
I don't get what you want ?
could you be more specific ? wich one fits the best ? are there even better options ? thank you
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
Read more comments
- English (US)
"I don't get what you want" could sound rude.
"Could you be more specific" sounds better.
I guess it depends on what the question is, what kind of a response I would give. "I don't understand" always works as well. Verbally, tone of voice can be everything/very important too.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
- English (US)
You could say "Sorry, I can't understand" or "Sorry I don't understand"
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Deleted user
sorry, I didn't specify, I meant written as an answer in this app..
- English (US)
@Gratien42
You could tell them that you're not sure as well or you also don't know.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Deleted user
I am not talking in case you don't know the answer, I mean in case what the prson is asking is not clear, not easy to understand so you need it to be rephrased or some more explanation.. but a way it doesn't sound rude..
- English (US)
Yeah I'd still say what I wrote in my answer above.
If you say "I don't understand", the person will (should...) understand they need to rephrase their question in a more clear way.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Deleted user
- English (US)
@Gratien42
Oh, sorry I misunderstood.
I've been around English speakers for my whole life and in that situation, people just say "I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you clearly. Could you say that again?" or anything else that has the same intention/message.
If you mean that you literally can't understand what someone is saying, then please scroll down to the very bottom.
From my experiences, as long as you're polite, it would go well. So, just start your sentence with a "Sorry" or "Excuse me"
I asked my friends, they said these sentences would get you by:
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch what you said. Could you repeat it (more slowly)?
I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that? Would you mind repeating it?
I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you clearly. Could you say that again?
I’m sorry, what was that?
Could you say that again, please?
Could you repeat that, please?
I’m sorry?
If you really don't understand them, you could just say "Sorry I don't think I can help you with that." It may sound a bit blunt, but it's better than anything else that I could think of.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Deleted user
- English (US)
This is a late response but I usually say "pardon?" and they'll repeat themselves. If I don't understand the second time around, I simply say "I don't quite get/understand what you're asking." This doesn't sound rude in the slightest (at least in my opinion) but rather sincere, as "pardon" is already a very courteous variant for "what?" 😊
Was this answer helpful?
Deleted user
@jojolovesflower mieux vaut tard que jamais ;) ( French saying meaning later is better than never) 😊
thank you for your answer but my question was not clear, sorry, here is the context : in this app, imagine someone "labeled" as an english native speake, put a piece of text in french, in the french section and that's it, it's not clear, it's hard to guess what he expects from us.. a translation ? an answer to the question ? ect . in this case it's not that I don't understand, it's clearly the person that either made a mistake or didn't do the effort to be clear.. Since I don't know, I don't want to be rude and say : What do you want ? I don't get what you want/ need...
(or maybe it's not that rude, you tell me..)
What would you say in this very case ? thank you.
- English (US)
@Gratien42 "What kind of assistance are you looking for, do you need a translation, pronunciation guidance, etc. (throw out a few examples)?"
Unless the person asking the question is aware that they're being very unclear, "what do you want" can sound baffling and curt. If I was that person and someone responded "what do you want?" I'd think "what do you mean 'what do I want?' I just posted my question."
Hope that helps!
Was this answer helpful?
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
Related questions
Similar questions
- "How are you?"というあいさつは、形式的なものですか？普段、どういう風に答えていますか？ When someone say "How are you?", how do you a...
- Would someone help me with the following expression ? "I will be ready...
- Could someone teach me what is difference between "xxx is there" and "there is xxx"?
Recommended Questions
- how can I discribe black people hair, can I say curly, the books don't teach us..
- Which sounds more natural, "Go two blocks" or "Go for two blocks," when giving directions?
- I loooooooooooove aussie accent.... I loooooooooooove Australia so much. I'd like to go back th...
- Do these have the same meaning? When do you usually say these? That's just how things work here. ...
- What does UP mean here ? Is this an abbreviation of something? "Greyhound are seeking experie...
Topic Questions
- had Phil had a sister? Why use “had” start? Can I use Did instead? What will different?
- Do you understand this sentence? I remembered that I had forgotten to sing the national anthem i...
- Mona ............, punished,cried ...
- "the majority of people don't/doesn't know..." which is correct?
- When someone asks you How are you?/How are you doing? Would it sound correct and natural to answe...
Newest Questions
- A: We should go see a movie together. B: Good idea. Is this a good conversation?
- People were mad/angry/upset. How are they different? Perhaps “mad” is too strong a word?
- Are the following sentences the same? 1, Earlier I was saying tomorrow is a pretty big day. 2, A...
- In the following sentences, does "any" means "even a bit"?⬇️ Is this time really going any differ...
- In "Almond flour is the move to make better cookies.", what does the move mean?
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
