When you miss a word, stay in the conversation.

Ask for a second hearing

You do not have to understand every word to take a useful next step. If you missed what someone said, Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? is a polite way to ask: “Could you repeat that, please?” Use Sie when you are addressing someone formally.

With a person you already address as du, you could say: Kannst du das bitte wiederholen? These are different registers, so choose the form that fits your relationship. You do not need to apologise repeatedly before asking for a repeat. A clear, polite request is enough.

Ask for a different pace

Sometimes you heard the sounds but could not separate the words. Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen? means “Could you speak a little more slowly, please?” The request tells the other person what would help.

Try saying the whole phrase aloud a few times before you need it. Break it into parts if that helps, then bring the parts back together. The aim is to make the request familiar enough to find when you are concentrating on a conversation. This page is written practice; it does not provide an audio model.

Name the part you did not understand

If one word is the problem, ask Was bedeutet dieses Wort? — “What does this word mean?” If you caught a particular word, repeat it in your question: Was bedeutet „Termin“? You have made the gap specific instead of asking the speaker to begin everything again.

You can also check your understanding with Meinen Sie morgen? — “Do you mean tomorrow?” A short check can be more useful than pretending to understand and hoping the next sentence will explain it.

Rehearse a tiny exchange

Write a two-line exchange. The first speaker says something you might hear; the second asks for repetition or clarification. Then switch the unclear detail. Try a time, a place or a new noun. All examples on this page are written learning examples, not transcripts of actual lessons.

Keep the three requests on a small note: repeat, slow down, explain. You can practise them independently using the free First Conversations workbook. If you want personal correction later, the Conversation Studio programme focuses on individual speaking practice and feedback.