Real, everyday American English — Asking, Not Understanding, Asking Again. You hear 40 phrases Americans actually use, each spoken clearly with a natural-speed repeat, the stressed syllable marked, and a short note on when to use it. Then take the matching quiz on word stress. Phrases in this episode (CAPITALS = the beat): Don’t ask. [DOHNT ASK.] I booked it. [eye BUUKT it.] Could you repeat that? [KUU-juh rih-PEET that?] I asked you. [eye ASKT yuh.] Sorry, what was that? [SAH-ree, WUHT wuz THAT?] What does that mean? [WUHT duz THAT MEEN?] I didn't catch that. [eye DIH-dnt KACH that.] If you study. [if yoo STUH-dee.] It’s a book. [it-suh BUUK.] Let’s book it. [LETS BOO-kit.] Open the book. [OH-pn thuh BOOK.] How do you spell that? [HOW duh yuh SPEL that?] What do you mean? [WUH-duh-yuh MEEN?] Can you say that again? [kin yuh SAY that uh-GEN?] Could you speak more slowly? [kuud yoo SPEEK mor SLOH-lee?] I speak English. [eye SPEEK ING-glish.] I didn’t study. [eye DIH-dnt STUH-dee.] I was studying. [eye wuhz STUH-dee-ing.] Do this slowly. [DOO this SLOH-lee.] I have a question. [eye HAV uh KWES-chun.] Don’t write. [DOHNT RYT.] I’m a student. [eyem uh STOO-dnt.] I booked online. [eye BOOKT awn-LYNE.] There’s a book. [thairz uh BOOK.] This is my book. [this iz my BOOK.] I want the book. [eye WAHNT thuh BOOK.] Can I ask you something? [kin eye ASK yoo SUM-thing?] Does that make sense? [duz THAT mayk SENTS?] There are books. [thehr ahr BOOKS.] I have to study. [eye HAF tuh STUH-dee.] She’s studying. [sheez STUH-dee-ing.] He’s a student. [heez uh STOO-dnt.] We’re students. [weer STOO-dnts.] I have a booking. [eye HAV uh BOO-king.] I’m not reading. [eyem NAHT REE-ding.] It isn’t a book. [it IH-zunt uh BOOK.] Must be studying. [MUST bee STUH-dee-ing.] She’s a student. [sheez uh STOO-dnt.] I’m not studying. [eyem naht STUH-dee-ing.] This book is good. [this BUUK iz GUUD.]