Asking someone to repeat in English
What to say when someone speaks too fast and you need them to repeat it.
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Polite: ask them to repeat
Shorter: Sorry, say again?
Ask for the platform number
Change one word: Which gate / Which floor is it?
Polite: ask them to speak slower
'a little' sounds softer, not like a complaint
Warm thanks for their patience
Warmer than just Thank you. They’ll appreciate it
Quick answers
They spoke too fast and you missed all of it: what to say in English
Say “Sorry, could you say that again?” — polite: ask them to repeat. Shorter: Sorry, say again?
You only need one piece of info: what to say in English
Say “Which platform is it?” — ask for the platform number. Change one word: Which gate / Which floor is it?
You got some of it, but the speed is hard: what to say in English
Say “Could you slow down a little?” — polite: ask them to speak slower. 'a little' sounds softer, not like a complaint.
After they repeat it several times: what to say in English
Say “Thanks for your patience.” — warm thanks for their patience. Warmer than just Thank you. They’ll appreciate it.