❓

Clarifying: 'What did you say?'

Keywords
뭐라고요?
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
❓
TL;DR 🦄
  • ❓ 뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] — "What did you say?" (polite, all-purpose)
  • 🙉 네? [ne?] — "Huh?" / "Sorry?" (quick, casual-polite)
  • 🔁 다시 말해 주세요 [da-si mal-hae ju-se-yo] — "Please say that again"
  • 🐢 천천히 말씀해 주세요 [cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo] — "Please speak slowly"
  • 🎩 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] — "Could you say that again?" (formal)
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and listen to today's phrases at natural speed. 뭐라고요? 네? 다시 말해 주세요! [mwo-ra-go-yo? ne? da-si mal-hae ju-se-yo!] — practice the rising intonation that signals "I didn't catch that." 🌟
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Even fluent speakers miss words sometimes — background noise, fast speech, or an unfamiliar word can all trip you up. 뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] is your go-to phrase for "What did you say?" It's polite, natural, and used constantly in everyday conversation. Asking someone to repeat themselves isn't awkward — Koreans do it all the time! ❓

🔁 Levels of Asking Again

Choose your phrase based on formality and how much you missed:
  • 네? [ne?] — quick, reflexive "Huh?" — works almost anywhere 🙉
  • 뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] — the everyday polite default ❓
  • 뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] — casual, only with close friends 👫
  • 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] — formal, for work or strangers 🎩
  • 죄송한데 다시 한번요? [joe-song-han-de da-si han-beon-yo?] — apologetic, softens the request 🙏

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 네? [ne?] — Huh? / Sorry? 🙉
  • 뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] — What did you say? ❓
  • 뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] — What? (casual) 👫
  • 다시 말해 주세요 [da-si mal-hae ju-se-yo] — Please say that again 🔁
  • 죄송한데 다시 한번요? [joe-song-han-de da-si han-beon-yo?] — Sorry, one more time? 🙏
  • 잘 못 들었어요 [jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo] — I didn't hear that well 👂
  • 못 알아들었어요 [mot a-ra-deu-reo-sseo-yo] — I didn't catch/understand that 🤔
  • 천천히 말씀해 주세요 [cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo] — Please speak slowly 🐢
  • 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] — Could you say that again? (formal) 🎩
  • 무슨 말이에요? [mu-seun ma-ri-e-yo?] — What do you mean? 💭

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 저기 모퉁이에서 좌회전하세요. B: 네? 뭐라고요? [A: jeo-gi mo-tung-i-e-seo jwa-hwe-jeon-ha-se-yo. B: ne? mwo-ra-go-yo?]
A: "Turn left at that corner over there." B: "Huh? What did you say?" 🚗 — a quick double-check when street noise gets in the way.
A: 내일 회의가 취소됐어요. B: 죄송한데 다시 한번요? 잘 못 들었어요. [A: nae-il hwe-i-ga chwi-so-dwae-sseo-yo. B: joe-song-han-de da-si han-beon-yo? jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo.]
A: "Tomorrow's meeting has been cancelled." B: "Sorry, one more time? I didn't hear that well." 📅 — polite and apologetic, great for the office.
A: 여기서 지하철역까지 걸어서 한 십 분 걸려요. B: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? 천천히요. [A: yeo-gi-seo ji-ha-cheol-yeok-ka-ji geo-reo-seo han sip-bun geol-lyeo-yo. B: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? cheon-cheon-hi-yo.]
A: "It takes about ten minutes on foot to the subway station from here." B: "Could you say that again? Slowly, please." 🚶 — formal, used with strangers giving directions.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!
민수: 지은 씨, 이번 주말에 같이 등산 갈래요?
[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, i-beon ju-ma-re ga-chi deung-san gal-lae-yo?]
Minsu: "Jieun, do you want to go hiking together this weekend?"
지은: 네? 카페가 너무 시끄러워서 잘 못 들었어요.
[Jieun: ne? ka-pe-ga neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo.]
Jieun: "Huh? The cafe is so loud, I didn't hear that well."
민수: 아, 죄송해요. 이번 주말에 등산 갈래요? 라고 했어요.
[Minsu: a, joe-song-hae-yo. i-beon ju-ma-re deung-san gal-lae-yo? ra-go hae-sseo-yo.]
Minsu: "Oh, sorry. I said, 'Do you want to go hiking this weekend?'"
지은: 아, 등산이요! 네, 좋아요. 그런데 몇 시에 만나요?
[Jieun: a, deung-sa-ni-yo! ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reon-de myeot si-e man-na-yo?]
Jieun: "Oh, hiking! Yes, sounds great. But what time should we meet?"
민수: 아침 7시에 만나요.
[Minsu: a-chim il-gop-si-e man-na-yo.]
Minsu: "Let's meet at 7 in the morning."
지은: 네? 몇 시라고요? 7시요?! 너무 일찍이에요!
[Jieun: ne? myeot si-ra-go-yo? il-gop-si-yo?! neo-mu il-jji-gi-e-yo!]
Jieun: "What? What time did you say? 7 o'clock?! That's so early!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

A rising intonation on 네? or 뭐라고요? instantly signals "I'm confused, please help" rather than sounding annoyed. If you missed everything, try 잘 못 들었어요, 다시 말씀해 주세요 [jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo, da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo] — "I didn't hear well, please say it again" — it's specific and always polite. 👂

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying 뭐라고? to an elder, boss, or stranger → ✅ Too blunt — use 뭐라고요? or 뭐라고 하셨어요? instead.
❌ Confusing 뭐라고요? (didn't hear/catch it) with 무슨 말이에요? (don't understand the meaning) → ✅ The first asks for repetition; the second asks for explanation.
❌ Repeating 네? 네? over and over without context → ✅ Add 잘 못 들었어요 so the other person knows why you're asking again.
❌ Using 다시 말해 (casual) in a formal email or meeting → ✅ Use 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? for formal situations.
Great job — you can now ask for clarification smoothly and politely! ❓✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose the best word or phrase for each situation.
1. You didn't catch what your friend said — ask casually: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] → "What?" — casual, close friends only.
2. Ask the same thing politely to a coworker: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] → "What did you say?"
3. A reflexive "Huh?" when you're surprised or didn't hear: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
네? [ne?] → "Huh?" / "Sorry?"
4. Ask a stranger to repeat themselves formally: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?]
5. True or False: 뭐라고요? and 무슨 말이에요? mean the exact same thing.
Answer
False → 뭐라고요? asks for repetition; 무슨 말이에요? asks for explanation.
6. Ask someone to slow down: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
천천히 말씀해 주세요 [cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo]
7. Translate: "I didn't hear that well." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
잘 못 들었어요 [jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo]
8. Apologize and ask for a repeat: 죄송한데 ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
다시 한번요 [da-si han-beon-yo] → "...one more time?"
9. True or False: 뭐라고? is appropriate to say to your grandmother.
Answer
False → too casual; use 뭐라고요? or 뭐라고 하셨어요?
10. Practice saying this out loud: 죄송한데, 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? [joe-song-han-de, jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo. da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?]
Answer
"Sorry, I didn't hear that well. Could you say that again?" → polite and complete!
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 네? [ne?] → huh? / sorry?
  • 뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] → what did you say?
  • 뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] → what? (casual)
  • 다시 말해 주세요 [da-si mal-hae ju-se-yo] → say that again
  • 죄송한데 다시 한번요 [joe-song-han-de da-si han-beon-yo] → sorry, one more time?
  • 잘 못 들었어요 [jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo] → didn't hear well
  • 못 알아들었어요 [mot a-ra-deu-reo-sseo-yo] → didn't catch/understand
  • 천천히 말씀해 주세요 [cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo] → speak slowly
  • 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] → could you say it again?
  • 무슨 말이에요? [mu-seun ma-ri-e-yo?] → what do you mean?
Pitfalls 💡
  • 뭐라고? = casual only
  • 뭐라고요? ≠ 무슨 말이에요?
  • Add 잘 못 들었어요 for context
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Clarifying: 'What did you say?'
안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice asking for clarification! ❓✨
🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Pick the Right Form 🎯

A. Talking to a close friend, ask casually: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] → "What?"
B. Talking to a cashier, ask politely: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고요? [mwo-ra-go-yo?] → "What did you say?"
C. In a job interview, ask the interviewer to repeat formally: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?]
D. True or False: 네? can be used as a quick, reflexive "Huh?" in most situations.
Answer
True → it's a versatile, mild way to ask someone to repeat.
E. Translate: "Please speak slowly." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
천천히 말씀해 주세요 [cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo]
F. Your friend mumbles something — ask casually: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] → "What?"
G. Translate: "I didn't catch/understand that." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
못 알아들었어요 [mot a-ra-deu-reo-sseo-yo]
H. Apologetically ask for a repeat at work: 죄송한데 ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
다시 한번요 [da-si han-beon-yo]
I. True or False: 뭐라고요? can be used with both friends and coworkers.
Answer
True → it's the polite, all-purpose default.
J. Translate: "What do you mean?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
무슨 말이에요? [mu-seun ma-ri-e-yo?]
📚
Quick Reference:
  • Casual → 뭐라고?
  • Polite → 뭐라고요?
  • Formal → 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
  • Quick → 네?

Exercise 2 — Fill in the Blank: Ask Again! 💬

A. A: 내일 9시까지 오세요. B: ＿＿＿＿? 잘 못 들었어요.
Answer
뭐라고요 [mwo-ra-go-yo] → "What did you say? I didn't hear that well."
B. A: (mumbling) ...그래서 취소됐어요. B: ＿＿＿＿? 무슨 일이 취소됐어요?
Answer
네 [ne] → "Huh?" — asking for the missed info.
C. A: 거기 전화번호가 뭐예요? B: 잠시만요, ＿＿＿＿ 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Answer
천천히 [cheon-cheon-hi] → "...speak slowly?"
D. True or False: 못 알아들었어요 means you heard the words but didn't understand the meaning.
Answer
True → it can describe not understanding content, not just missing sounds.
E. A: 이 단어 뜻이 뭐예요? B: 음... ＿＿＿＿? 설명해 주세요.
Answer
무슨 말이에요 [mu-seun ma-ri-e-yo] → asking for an explanation of meaning.
F. A: 회의실이 바뀌었어요, 3층으로요. B: 죄송한데 ＿＿＿＿? 어디라고요?
Answer
다시 한번요 [da-si han-beon-yo] → "...one more time?"
G. A: (close friend, fast) 야, 우리 내일 몇 시에 만나? B: ＿＿＿＿? 잘 못 들었어.
Answer
뭐라고 [mwo-ra-go] → casual "What?"
H. True or False: It's rude to ask someone to repeat themselves in Korean.
Answer
False → it's completely normal and happens constantly in daily conversation.
I. A: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? B: ＿＿＿＿? 이름이요?
Answer
네 [ne] → "Sorry?" — a quick clarifying check.
J. Practice saying this out loud: 네? 뭐라고요? 잘 못 들었어요, 다시 말씀해 주세요. [ne? mwo-ra-go-yo? jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo, da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.]
Answer
"Huh? What did you say? I didn't hear that well, please say it again." → a full clarification chain!
📚
Quick Rule — Match the Context:
  • Missed sound → 뭐라고요? / 잘 못 들었어요
  • Missed meaning → 무슨 말이에요?
  • Too fast → 천천히 말씀해 주세요
  • Formal repeat → 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?

Exercise 3 — Mix It All Together 🗣️

A. You're on a noisy phone call with your boss. Ask formally for a repeat: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? [da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] → "Could you say that again?"
B. Fill in: A: 어디로 가야 돼요? B: ＿＿＿＿? 길을 잘 못 들었어요.
Answer
뭐라고요 [mwo-ra-go-yo] → "What did you say? I didn't catch the directions."
C. True or False: Raising your pitch on 네? makes it sound like a genuine question rather than rude.
Answer
True → intonation matters a lot for tone.
D. Translate: "Sorry, what did you say your name was?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
죄송한데, 이름이 뭐라고 하셨어요? [joe-song-han-de, i-reu-mi mwo-ra-go ha-syeo-sseo-yo?]
E. Your little brother mumbles something. Ask casually: ＿＿＿＿?
Answer
뭐라고? [mwo-ra-go?] → "What?"
F. A: 이 버튼을 먼저 누르고, 그다음에 저 버튼을 누르세요. B: 죄송한데, ＿＿＿＿. 다시 한번 천천히요.
Answer
잘 못 들었어요 [jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo] → "I didn't hear that well."
G. True or False: 뭐라고요? and 뭐라고 하셨어요? can both mean "What did you say?" but the second is more polite/formal.
Answer
True → 하셨어요 adds an extra layer of honorific politeness.
H. Fill in: A: (presenter speaks very fast) B: 죄송하지만 ＿＿＿＿ 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Answer
천천히 [cheon-cheon-hi] → "...slowly?"
I. Translate: "I don't understand what you mean." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
무슨 말인지 잘 모르겠어요. [mu-seun ma-rin-ji jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.]
J. Practice saying this out loud: 죄송한데 다시 한번요? 여기가 너무 시끄러워서 잘 못 들었어요. [joe-song-han-de da-si han-beon-yo? yeo-gi-ga neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo jal mot deu-reo-sseo-yo.]
Answer
"Sorry, one more time? It's so noisy here, I didn't hear that well." → polite, with a reason!
📚
Everyday Cheat Sheet:
  • 네? = quick "Huh?"
  • 뭐라고요? = "What did you say?" (polite)
  • 뭐라고? = casual only
  • 무슨 말이에요? = "What do you mean?"
  • 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? = formal repeat
🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You can now ask for clarification smoothly and politely! ❓✨