Everyone misses words sometimes, even native speakers. The problem is how you ask. Many learners translate directly from their own language and say "Repeat, please" or a sharp "What?", which can sound like an order or a complaint in English. In this episode: • The quick ones: sorry? and pardon? • Longer, polite requests • Checking one word or number • Clarifying meaning • What? and eh? • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Sorry? — I didn't hear you, please say it again (neutral, very common) Pardon? (PAH-dn) — the same, a little more traditional (polite) Sorry, what was that? — I missed it (neutral) Sorry, I didn't catch that. — I didn't hear it clearly (neutral) Sorry, I missed that. — the same idea (neutral) Could you say that again, please? — please repeat (polite) Could you repeat that, please? — please repeat (polite) Could you speak up a bit? — please talk louder (polite) Could you slow down a bit? — please talk more slowly (polite) Sorry, it's a bit noisy in here. — explaining why you missed it Sorry, you're breaking up. — the phone line is bad Say again? — please repeat (casual, between friends) Sorry, did you say fifteen or fifty? — checking a number Sorry, what time? — you missed the time Sorry, which day? — you missed the day Sorry, how much was it? — you missed the price Sorry, what was his name again? — you've forgotten a name (casual) Sorry, Thursday or Tuesday? — two words that sound close Sorry, how do you spell that? — for names and addresses (neutral) What do you mean by...? — explain this word or idea Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.