DO NOT SAY 'Can you repeat?' or 'I don't understand' - ask for repetition in this BETTER way!

(upbeat music)

- Hello, everyone, and welcome back to English With Lucy.

Hello 歡迎回到"English with Lucy"

When you are learning English,

當你在學英語時

there is one sentence that you have to say a lot,

有一個句子你一定常說

or you feel you have to say a lot.

或是你覺得你必需常說的

It is, can you repeat that,

就是“can you repeat that"(可以再說一次嗎）

can you repeat that please,

Can you repeat that, please

or please could you repeat that.

或是“Please could you repeat that"(麻煩請再說一次）

When you talk to natives

當你跟當地人交談

and especially when you are listening to natives speak,

特別是當你聽當地人說話的時候

it is highly likely that you won't understand everything

很可能你完全聽不懂

that they've said and you will probably want

他們說完了 而你可能想要

to ask them to repeat something

要求他們重複某些句子

so you can try to understand.

好讓你可以試著明白

Unfortunately, many students feel embarrassed

可惜的是，許多學生會覺得尷尬

because they're saying the same sentence

因為當地人正說著同樣的句子

over and over again.

一遍又一遍

Can you repeat that?

Can you repeat that?（可以再說一次嗎）

Sorry, can you repeat that?

抱歉，可以再說一次嗎

Please, can you repeat that?

請再說一次？

A lot of my students tell me that in the end

我許多學生告訴我， 最後

they just give up and stop asking for repetition,

他們乾脆放棄不再要求重說了

which really isn't good for their listening practise.

這真的對他們的聽音練習不太好

This video is really going

這支影片將實際

to help you improve your listening skills

幫你提升你的聽音技巧

and indirectly help you with your vocabulary as well

也能間接有益你的字彙

and your pronunciation

還有你的發音

but if you want to improve your vocabulary

但如果你想增加你的字彙

and your listening skills even further,

和聽力能力更進一步

then I highly recommend the special method of reading books

那麼我極力推薦你”讀書“這個特別的方法

and at the same time,

而且同時

listening to their audiobook version on Audible.

在Audible上聽有聲書的版本

It sounds complicated but it's not so let me explain.

聽來複雜，但其實不會 我來解釋一下

Take a book that you have already read in English

挑一本你已經正在讀的英文書

or a book that you would like to read in English.

或是一本你想讀的書

I've got lots of recommendations for you

我有很多可以推薦給你

in the description box

就在這個資訊框中

and I'm also thinking of making a video

我也想製作影片

all about the different books that you should read

關於所有你應該讀的各種書籍

for different levels.

按各種程度

Let me know down below if you would like that.

請讓我知道你是否想要這種介紹

And once you've chosen that book, read it whilst listening

而當你選好了書 邊讀

to the audiobook version on Audible.

邊聽在Audible上的有聲書版本

I recommend Audible in particular

我特別推薦Audible

because they've got the most amazing range of books

因為他們有驚人的的書籍種類

with fantastic native narrators

用很棒的本地配音員

and I really like their subscription model.

而且我喜歡他們的訂閱方式

It encourages you to do a little bit each month.

它會每個月鼓勵你讀一點

Reading alone will not help you with your pronunciation

自己讀並不會幫助你的發音

because English isn't a strictly phonetic language.

因為英語不是嚴格的音型一致的語言

The way something is written in English

有些用英語方式寫成的文字

might not give you any indication

可能不會給你任何的指示關於

as to how that word is pronounced in English.

這個字如何用英語發音

It's like the spelling

就像這個拼法

and the pronunciation is nearly separate.

和這個發音是截然不同的

This is why so many students find pronunciation so hard

這就是為什麼許多學生覺得發音很難

but if you listen to a word as you read it,

但是如果當你讀這個字的時候聽著

your brain will start making connections

你的大腦將開始創造連結

and the next time you see that word written down,

下次當你看到寫下這個字

you'll know exactly how it's meant to be pronounced

你將會確切的知道它代表如何發音

and the next time you hear that word,

而糗下次你再聽到這個字

you'll know exactly how it's spelt.

你也會知道字怎麼拼

It's such an effective method

這是很有效的方法

and the best part is you can get one free audiobook

而且最讚的是你可以得到一本免費的有聲書

of your choice that's a 30-day free trial at Audible.

可以在Audible選30天免費試用

All you've got to do is click on the link

你所要做的就是按下這個連結

in the description box and sign up.

就在資訊框中，並登入

Give it a try because it really, really works.

試試看 因為它真的真的很有用

Right, let's get started with the lesson.

好，讓我開始今天的課程

So the first alternative way of saying,

所以替代下列的說法

sorry, can you repeat that, or sorry, I don't understand,

sorry, can you repeat that, 或 sorry, I don't understand,

is the most natural native way.

最自然的道地方式

It is just one word, it's sorry?

就只要一個字“Sorry"

Sorry?

Sorry?

This is what we are most likely to say if we can't hear

這是當我們聽不清楚時最可能說的

or can't understand what someone is saying.

或聽不懂別人說的時候

Make sure you focus on the intonation,

確認你有專注在語調上

we want to go, sorry?

我們要的是，“Sorry?"

Down, up, down, up.

（語調）低，高，低，高

Sorry?

Sorry?

That way we are showing the listener that it is a question.

這個方式我們會向聽者表現出這是一個問句

We are showing doubt.

我們表現出疑問

This is also a word that you can add on to lots

這也是一個字你可以加上很多

of the other phrases which are going to follow

其他將接續的句子

but it's a really nice quick one and because it's so short,

但這真的較快 因為這麼短

you don't feel like you are repeating yourself as much

你不會覺得你自己一直重說很多

if you have to say it over and over again.

如果你必須重說一遍又一遍

Next, we have a slightly more formal one.

接下來，我們有一個稍微正式的

It is, excuse me?

就是:excuse me?

Excuse me?

excuse me?

Now I don't like this one as much as I like sorry.

我喜歡Sorry 而比較不喜歡這個

This is because sometimes if said

因為有時如果說了

with the wrong tone of voice and the wrong intonation,

卻用了錯誤的聲音腔調或錯誤的音調

it can make it sound like you're slightly offended.

就會讓你聽起來有點不禮貌

If somebody says something offensive to me,

如果有人對我說了一些冒犯的話

I would say, excuse me?

我就會說：excuse me?

Excuse me?

excuse me?

But I definitely show with my body language

但我絕對會表現我的肢體語言

that I'm offended.

表示我被冒犯了

If I can't understand what someone's saying,

如果我不明白別人說的

I would say, excuse me?

我會說：excuse me?

Excuse me?

excuse me?

And maybe shake my head to show

而且可能搖著頭表示

that I'm having trouble following what they're saying.

我對跟上他們說的話有困難

Another one which is even more formal

另一個更正式了

and this isn't even the most formal one yet.

但還不是最正式的

The most formal one is coming after this one.

最正式的等這個再來說

This is, pardon?

這個是：Pardon?

Pardon?

Pardon?

And this is quite a posh word.

這是相當優雅的字

Not everyone will consider it to be posh

不是每個人都認為它是優雅的

but in general I think it is more of a posh word.

但大致上我覺得它是較優雅的字

I remember being taught this word

我記得被外婆教到這個字

by my grandmother as a little girl.

當時我還是小女生

Instead of saying, what, I had to say pardon? (chuckles)

不能說：What，我必須說Pardon?

And then the most posh of all of them, the poshest is,

接下來，比他們所有都優雅極的就是

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

Now you have to be careful with the intonation of this one

現在你必須小心這個音調

because again it can be used to show offence.

因為它也可以被用來表現冒犯

If somebody says something offensive,

如果有人說了一些冒犯的話

I could say, I beg your pardon?

我可以說： Ｉbeg your pardon?

It's often used in a jovial sense,

它比較常被用在愉快的感覺

kind of in a sarcastic way,

帶點諷刺的方法

maybe to respond to an accidental innuendo

也許反應對意外的影射

or something like that.

或是這類的

If we want to use it to ask for repetition,

如果你想用這句要求重說

you've got to say it like this.

你就必須像這樣

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

Really showing with your body language

再用你的肢體語言表現

and that upward intonation at the end

並在語尾提高音調

that you are asking a question, a genuine question.

這就是你正在提問 一個真的問題

If we're showing offence,

如果我們要表現冒犯

we're likely to push our body back.

我們可能會將身體往後

I beg your pardon?

I beg your pardon?

Now, back to neither informal nor formal,

現在，回到正式又不太正式的

these are just normal phrases you can say.

有一些一般的句子你可以說

You could say, what was that?

你可以說：what was that?

What was that?

This is much nicer than just, what?

what was that?

這個比單只有“What"好一點

Even better you can follow it with, sorry.

甚至更好一點的你可用Sorry接著

What was that, sorry?

what was that? Sorry?

What was that, sorry?

what was that? Sorry?

You could also say, what did you say?

你也可以說what did you say?

What did you say?

what did you say?

Or what did you say, sorry?

或是what did you say, sorry?

What did you say, sorry?

what did you say, sorry?

It feels strange to repeat them over and over again

一遍又一遍重複說會很奇怪

but really the intonation makes it so clear.

但真的音調可以使它清楚一點

What did you say, sorry?

what did you say, sorry?

Sorry?

Sorry?

Sorry? (chuckles)

Sorry?

Now what if we want to be just really, really clear?

那如果我們真的只是要更清楚呢

We could just put it out there,

我們可以就說出來

you could just say, I don't understand,

你可以說： I don't understand,

could you say that again, please?

could you say that again, please?

Or, I don't understand,

或 I don't understand,

please could you say that again?

please could you say that again?

It doesn't really matter where you put the please

你把Please放哪裏不重要

as long as you say please.

只要你有說Please

I always like to put please first

我總喜歡把please 放開頭

because then the person knows from the very beginning

因為可以讓人一開始就知道

that I've said please.

我有說Please

Please, could you say that again?

Please, could you say that again?

In my household growing up,

在我的家鄉

pleases and thank yous were incredibly important,

please 和thank you是相當重要的

overly important and it scarred me for life.

太重要了，使我生活中都很驚恐

I just can't not say please, thank you.

我不能只說please, thank you

Now if you want someone to repeat something

現在如果你想要別人重說某些事

that they have only just said very recently

而他們剛剛才說過的

and you want to interrupt them, stop them there

而你想中斷他們 停下他們

and say, I want that exact sentence repeated again,

就說：I want that exact sentence repeated again,

then you can use the word just.

然後你可以用剛剛的話

For example, sorry what did you just say?

例如：sorry what did you just say?

What did you just say?

what did you just say?

And note that I'm not saying what did you just say?

注意，我不只是說 what did you just say?

I'm saying what did you just say?

我是說what did you just say?

Just, just.

Just, Just (剛剛）

What did you just say?

what did you just say?

What did you just say?

what did you just say?

That's real connected speech there.

這才是真的連結交談

What did you just say?

what did you just say?

I'm missing out the tuh sound between just and say.

我忽略了在Between和Just中間tuh的音，

I'm saying jus-say instead of just say.

我說“just-say,而不是Just say

Just a little pronunciation tip for you there.

給你一個小小的發音秘訣

Or an alternative version, what did you say just then?

或是另一個版本：what did you say just then?

What did you say just then?

what did you say just then?

Again, I'm not including the tuh after just.

再一次：what did you say just then?

I'm saying jus-then, jus-then.

我說的是jus-then, jus-then.

Now, if you didn't understand everything that someone said

現在如果你聽不懂別人說的

but you did understand parts of it

但你確實懂一部分

then you could say, sorry, I didn't quite catch that?

那麼你可以說：sorry, I didn't quite catch that?

I didn't quite catch that?

I didn't quite catch that?

And the quite is implying that you understood some of it,

而這個"quite"意味著你懂一部分

you caught some of it but you didn't catch all of it.

你跟上某些片段但不是完全

And catch here is used to mean to hear and understand.

而catch在這裡用來表示聽和明白

It's a slang use of catch.

這是catch的慣用語

I didn't catch what you just said.

I didn't catch what you just said.

I didn't understand or hear what you just said.

我不明白 或是 沒聽到你剛說的

An alternative for this is, sorry, I didn't quite get that.

另一句是這個：sorry, I didn't quite get that.

I didn't quite get that.

I didn't quite get that.

And both of these could imply

這兩個都可以表示

that it's not because you didn't understand what they said,

這不是因為你不明白他們剛說的

it could be that you didn't hear what they said.

它可以用在表示你沒聽到他們剛說的

And if you can't hear what somebody is saying,

而你如果無法聽到別人正在說的

then you could say something like,

那麼你可以像這樣說

would you mind speaking up a bit?

would you mind speaking up a bit?你可以大聲一點嗎？

Would you mind speaking up a bit?

would you mind speaking up a bit?

This is a nicer way of saying,

這是一個比較好的說法

please could you speak more loudly?

please could you speak more loudly?

Or please could you speak less quietly?

或是please could you speak less quietly?

To speak up is to increase the volume of one's voice.

speak up表示提高別人的音量

Now if you want to make it clear

現在如果你要清楚一點

that it's not anything to do with volume,

跟音量無關

it really is that you're just not understanding.

就只是你不明白

Your understanding little bits

你的理解只有一點

but you're not managing to understand complete sentences,

但你沒有要明白完整的句子

you could say, sorry, I'm not following what you're saying.

你就可以說sorry, I'm not following what you're saying.

I'm not following what you're saying.

I'm not following what you're saying.

Or an alternative, wait a second, I'm a bit lost.

或是另一個：wait a second, I'm a bit lost.

Wait a second, I'm a bit lost.

wait a second, I'm a bit lost.

And both of these imply

而兩種都暗示著

that you would like the person to slow down.

你想要別人說慢一點

If you're struggling to follow or you're getting lost,

如果你很難跟上或是你已跟丟了

it could make the speaker think

就可以讓說話的人想

that they are speaking too quickly

他們說話說太快了

and implying that they need to slow down

表示他們需要慢下來

without you having to ask them to slow down.

而不用去要求他們慢下來

If you do want to be clear about it

如果你想要的是清楚

or they don't understand you when you're trying to imply

或是他們不懂你剛剛試著暗示的

that they're going too quickly,

他們說太快了

you could say, would you mind slowing down a bit,

你可以說：would you mind slowing down a bit,（你可以說慢一點嗎）

I'm struggling to follow.

I'm struggling to follow.（我很難跟上）

I'm struggling to follow.

I'm struggling to follow.

Now, if there is a specific word or phrase

現在，如果是特定的字或是片段

that you don't understand but you understand everything else

你不明白但你懂每段話

but you want to ask a specific question

但你只是想問一個特定的問題

about a specific word or phrase,

關於一個特定的字或是片段

then you could point it out and say something like,

那麼你可以只出來並且像這樣說

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by, word or phrase.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by, word or phrase.（我不太確定懂你說的哪個字或哪個片段）

Or you could simplify it and say,

或你可以簡單地說

I'm not sure what you mean by, word or phrase.

I'm not sure what you mean by, word or phrase.

It's a bit of a funny preposition

這是一個有趣的介詞

so make sure you learn it properly to mean by.

所以確認你正確的學了用" by"

I'm not sure what you mean by pigeon.

I'm not sure what you mean by pigeon.（我不太確定你說的鴿子）

Here we are, I've mentioned pigeon again. (laughs)

又來了，我又說了鴿子

Just squeeze it into every video.

就把它塞進每支影片

Now, one annoying thing about asking

現在關於要求別人重覆比較煩人的事

for repetition is that you constantly feel

是你會一直覺得

that you're interrupting someone.

你一直打斷別人

But I think it's okay to interrupt

但我覺得打斷是ok的

as long as you apologise for interrupting.

只要你對打斷道歉

And you can say something as simple as,

你可以簡單地說

I'm sorry to interrupt

I'm sorry to interrupt(我很抱歉打斷）

but would you mind repeating blah, blah, blah.

但你可以重說一下 blah, blah, blah

Another alternative if you're with friends,

另一個，是你跟朋友一起

you can use a slang phrasal verb,

你可以用一個常用的動詞片語

which is to butt in, to butt in.

就是butt in, butt in( 插嘴）

I'm sorry to butt in but...

I'm sorry to butt in but...（我很抱歉插嘴但是.....)

I'm sorry to butt in again.

I'm sorry to butt in but...

I'm sorry to interrupt again.

I'm sorry to interrupt again.

Those two are really, really useful

這兩個都真的真的很好用

if you feel that you're constantly stopping someone

如果你覺得你一直打斷別人

to ask them what they mean.

去問他們說的意思

Now let's have a look at four idioms

現在讓我們看一下四個成語

or slang phrases that we can use to say

或是我們常說的慣用語

that we don't understand someone

當我們不懂別人說的時候

or to ask them to repeat something

或是要求別人重複某些話

or make themselves more clear.

或是要他們更清楚些

A really fun one is, this is all Greek to me.

一個很有趣的是：this is all Greek to me.

This is all Greek to me.

this is all Greek to me.（這對我來說全是希臘文。）

This is all a foreign language to me.

這對我來說全是外國話

That would be a really funny one to use

用這一句真的很有趣

if you are actually Greek. (laughs)

如果你真的是希臘人

This basically means this is all impossible

這基本表示這根本不可能

for me to understand.

讓我聽得懂

Another one is, that was as clear as mud.

另一個是， that was as clear as mud.（就像泥一樣清澈）

That was as clear as mud.

That was as clear as mud.

Now this, be careful with it.

現在，注意這個

Just use it with friends and people

只能在朋友或是

that you like to have a joke with

你想跟他開玩笑的人說

because you're basically saying

因為你基本是說

that what they have just said was very unclear.

他們剛剛說的完全不清不楚

And obviously a teacher or a professor

顯然只有老師或是教授

or someone you don't know that well is not going

或是某個你不太認識但

to appreciate such a sarcastic remark.

不會欣賞這樣的諷刺話

So if someone has been trying to explain something

所以如果別人試著解釋某些話

but they've been doing a very bad job of it,

但他們解釋得很糟

then you can say, well, that was as clear as mud.

那麼你可以說，well, that was as clear as mud.

If you want to say that something was far too complicated

如果你想說某件事太複雜了

for you, you can say, that went right over my head.

你可以說：that went right over my head.

That went right over my head.

that went right over my head.

It didn't go into my head, it went over like this.

他沒有盡到我的腦袋，它像是這樣

I didn't understand or process any of it.

我不明白或是處理

And the last one, I think this is fairly British

最後，我覺得這一個是相當英國式的

but if there are any Americans watching,

但是如果有任何的美國觀眾正在看

please do let me know.

也請讓我知道

It is, what are you on about?

就是what are you on about?（你在說什麼）

What are you on about?

what are you on about?

And this means what are you talking about.

這是”你在說什麼“

But the phrase to go on about something implies

但這句"to go on about"暗示

that somebody is talking too much.

別人說太多了

To go on about something is

To go on about somethin 是指

to talk excessively about something.

太超過的談論某事

So when you say, what are you on about?

所以當你說what are you on about?

It means what you're talking about?

是說： 你正在說什麼

You've been talking for ages.

你說的太...久了

Again, another one to use just with friends,

再一次，這一個只使用在朋友之間的

people you have mutual trust with

或是你很信任的人

and maybe share a sense of humour with,

或也許是可以分享幽默感的人

not professors, not teachers, not your boss.

不是老師、教授、也不是你的老闆

Right, that's it for today's lesson.

好了，這就是今天的課程

I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you learned something,

我希望你喜歡也希望你學到東西

and most importantly, I hope you feel more comfortable

最重要的我希望你感覺自在

when asking for repetition

當你要求重說一遍的時候

because you absolutely should ask for repetition.

因為你絕對應該要求重說

And any good person,

而任何的好人

any good native speaker should not be offended

任何好的當地人應該不會被冒犯

or should not get bored by you asking

或是被你問的很煩

for repetition constantly.

在一直重說時

I've said it in previous videos.

我在之前的影片說過

A really good way to get people to accept

真的使人們接受的好方法

that you're going to constantly ask them

就是你要不斷的要求

for repetition is to flatter them

他們重複說 來使他們開心

and to say, look, I really like the way you speak English,

而且說，看吧，我真的喜歡你說英文的方式

I'm trying to improve,

我試著進步

would you mind if I ask you a couple of questions,

你會介意如果我問你幾個問題嗎？

or ask you to repeat some things?

或是要求你重複某些事？

And then you can just use one word repetition questions

然後你就可以使用一個重說的問句單字

like sorry, sorry, or just gesture to them

像是Sorry, sorry或是向他們示意

so it's less embarrassing and awkward for both of you.

所以兩者對你來說比較不尷尬也不奇怪

Don't forget to check out Audible.

不要忘了看一下Audible

You can claim your free audiobook,

你可以索取免費的有聲書

the link is in the description box.

連結就在資訊框中

And don't forget to follow me on all of my social media.

也不要忘了追蹤我的每個社群媒體

I've got my Facebook, my Instagram, and my Twitter,

我有Facebook, IG 和 Twitter

and I've got my new vlogging channel as well.

還有我的新vlogging 頻道

It was just a personal channel at first

它一開始是我的個人頻道

but now I do all of my vlogs,

但現在是我所有的vlogs

documenting my daily life on an English farm

記錄我的英國農場日常生活

in the British countryside.

在英國的郊區

I've really been enjoying making them

我很享受做這些

and they've had a really lovely response

也得到很多美好的回應

and they're all completely subtitled

而且他們有完整的字幕

so that you can pick up some new vocabulary

所以你可以學到新的字彙

and practise your listening.

並練習你的聽力

Right, I will see you soon for another lesson.

好，我們很快下個課程再見

Mwah!

(upbeat music)