What does it mean word for word?
The phrase もう一度言ってくれますか？ literally means "Will you give me the favor of saying it one more time?" The first part, もう一度 (mō ichido), means "one more time".
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to vary this request depending on the level of politeness and the specific words used for "one more time". While the default uses ichido, you can use the variation もう一回言ってくれる？ which replaces ichido with ikkai to mean "one more time". For very high levels of politeness, you can use the honorific verb おっしゃる in the phrase もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness varies significantly with different forms. もう一度言ってくれる？ is an informal way to ask "Can you say it one more time?" For a formal setting, use もう一度言っていただけますか？ to say "Could you please say it once more?" For a standard polite command, you can use もう一度言ってください. In very casual settings with friends, you can use the even shorter もう一回言って？
How do you pronounce it?
mō ichido itte kuremasu ka?
Did you know?
- Instead of using a full sentence to ask for a repetition, Japanese speakers frequently use the single word はい? (Hai?) with a rising intonation to signal they did not catch what was said.
- In very formal business settings, it is considered more polite to apologize for your own lack of hearing using 聞き取れませんでした before asking the other person to repeat the phrase.
- The polite request 言ってくれますか？ uses the verb くれる, which specifically refers to the act of receiving a gift or a favor.
Examples in context
- あの映画、すごく面白かったよ！
え？もう一度言ってくれる？That movie was really interesting!
Huh? Can you say it one more time? - お昼ごはんは何を食べましたか？
え？もう一度言っていただけますか？What did you have for lunch?
Excuse me? Could you please say it once more? - 聞き取れませんでした。もう一度言ってくれますか？Kikitoremasen deshita. Mou ichido itte kuremasu ka?I couldn't catch that. Can you say it again?
- 少し早かったので、もう一度言ってくれますか？Sukoshi hayakatta node, mou ichido itte kuremasu ka?It was a bit fast, so can you repeat it?
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are talking in a noisy cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki明日、駅の前で会いましょう。Ashita, eki no mae de aimashō.Let's meet in front of the station tomorrow.
- 大翔 Hirotoすみません、もう一度言ってくれますか？Sumimasen, mō ichido itte kuremasu ka?I'm sorry, can you repeat that?
- 美咲 Misaki駅の前で待ち合わせましょう。Eki no mae de machiawasemashō.Let's meet up in front of the station.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかりました。ありがとうございます。Wakarimashita. Arigatō gozaimasu.I understand. Thank you.
