As an English learner, you’ll need to tell others that English is not your first language. You’ll also need to ask native speakers to repeat phrases and words or to speak slower. The following phrases will be useful for this.
This simple phrase tells people that English is not your native language. If you’re a total beginner, add “just started” after I: “I just started learning English.”
My name is Sophie and I’m learning English.
I don't know how to explain my idea. Can you help me?
I don't know the word for...
How do you say____?
What's the best way to say___?
What does X mean to you?
Use this phrase when you don’t understand what someone means.
Sorry, I don’t understand. The U.S. Electoral College seems very confusing!
Sorry, I don’t understand. Why should I do this?
If you’d like someone to say a word, question or phrase again, use this question. Since “to repeat” means “to say again,” you can also ask, “Could you say that again please?”
We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after “you,” like this:
Could you please repeat that?
Excuse me, could you repeat that please?
I'm sorry. I misheard what you said. Could you repeat that please.
Excuse me, could you repeat that sentence please?
Excuse me, could you please repeat that last [question|sentence]?
Could you repeat that please?
Could you please rephrase your question?
Could you please explain what that word means?
Native speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard to understand! This is an easy way to ask someone to speak more slowly.
Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it’s used often in everyday (casual) speech. The grammatically correct question would be, “Could you please talk more slowly?”
That’s because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”). “Slower” is a comparative adjective, which means it should be used to describe nouns (people, places or thing), not verbs. (For example: My car is slower than yours.)
A: You can give us a call any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five five five, two five zero eight, extension three three—
B: I’m sorry, could you please [speak|talk] slower?
A:We are having trouble with a machine down at the warehouse. Model number x-ray tango alpha. Can you help me please?
B:I’m sorry, could you please [speak|talk] slower? I didn't catch the model number.
A:The model number is x-ray tango alpha. (NATO phonetic alphabet)
After someone starts speaking more slowly for you, thank them with this phrase.
You can use it in many other situations, too.
A: Ben, could you please make the font bigger? It’s hard for me to read the words.
B: Sure! I’ll change it from size 10 to 16. How’s that?
A: Thank you. That helps a lot.
A: Igor what can you do about the wiring?
B: I can move it behind the desks. Does that help?
A: Thank you. That helps a lot.
A:Dennis can you help paint my apartment?
B: No, I can't but I can give you the name of a professional painter.
A:Ok, thanks anyway!
When you hear or see a new word, use this phrase to ask what it means.
A: What does “font” mean?
B: It’s the style of letters, numbers and punctuation marks when you type. A common font in the USA is Times New Roman.
A: What does "robomaker" mean?
B: I think it means, make a robot.
English spelling can be tricky, so make sure to learn this question. You could also ask someone, “Could you spell that for me?”
A: My name is Isableth Indachief.
B: How do you spell that?
A: The model number is AGTXJ.
B: How do you spell that?
A: alpha golf tango x-ray juliet (NATO phonetic alphabet)
When you understand the words one by one, but not what they mean together, use this question. You can ask it whenever you’re confused about what someone is telling you.
A: The Smiths have a really nice house, but the grass is always greener on the other side.
B: What do you mean?
A: I mean that if we had the Smith’s house, we probably wouldn’t be happier. We always think other people have better lives than us, but other people have problems too.
A: I think you are suffering from Loss Aversion.
B: What do you mean?
A: I think you are more concerned about the loss time on your project than the future value of the project itself.