😔🔁❓

How to Say ‘Sorry, could you say that again?’ in Traditional Chinese

不好意思，可以再說一次嗎？

bù hǎo yì sī kě yǐ zài shuō yī cì ma

[bù hǎoyìsi kuh-yee dzeye shuō yī tsuh ma]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Asking someone to repeat themselves is perfectly normal on Taiwanese business calls, especially for numbers. Opening with 不好意思 keeps it courteous.

Phrase Breakdown

不好意思，

bù hǎo yì sī

Sorry,

This polite opener softens the request that follows.

Example

不好意思，請問廁所在哪裡？

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Words in this phrase

不好意思

bù hǎo yì sī

[bù hǎoyìsi]

excuse me; sorry

A light apology or polite way to get attention; very common in Taiwan.

Example

不好意思，廁所在哪裡？

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

可以

kě yǐ

[kuh-yee]

can; may

Used to express ability, permission, or that something is possible.

Example

你如果想加這位主管的聯絡方式，現在可以先自我介紹。

If you want to add this manager's contact information, you can introduce yourself first now.

再說一次嗎？

zài shuō yī cì ma

say it again?

再說一次 (zài shuō yí cì) means 'say it once more'. 嗎 turns it into a question.

Example

你可以再說一次嗎？

Can you say it again?

Words in this phrase

再

zài

[dzeye]

again

Used to indicate repetition, meaning again or once more.

Example

希望很快再見到你。

I hope to see you again soon.

說

shuō

[shuō]

to speak; to say

A basic verb meaning to speak or say.

Example

他說中文。

He speaks Chinese.

一

yī

[yī]

one

Indicates a single item or unit.

Example

我有一隻貓

I have one cat.

次

cì

[tsuh]

time; occurrence

A measure word for the number of times something happens.

Example

你是第一次來嗎？

Is this your first time here?

嗎

[ma]

question particle

A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.

Example

你喜歡這個活動嗎？

Do you like this event?

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