What does it mean word for word?
The structure 言ってもらえますか？ (itte moraemasu ka?) literally translates to "can I receive the favor of you saying (it)?"
Which one should you use?
While the default form is polite, there are several variations depending on the level of respect required. To be more formal, you can use もう一度言っていただけませんか？ or もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか？ For an even higher level of politeness, you can use もう一度おっしゃっていただけますでしょうか？ For casual settings, you can use もう一度言ってくれる？ or もう一回言ってくれる？ or simply もう一回言ってよ for a very casual request.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form もう一度言ってもらえますか？ is polite and suitable for talking to strangers or colleagues. For highly formal or respectful situations, use もう一度言っていただけますか？, もう一度言っていただけませんか？ or もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか？ and もう一度おっしゃっていただけますでしょうか？ In informal settings like talking to friends or family, use もう一回言ってくれる？, もう一度言ってくれる？, もう一回言ってよ or the very casual もう一回言って？
How do you pronounce it?
Mō ichido itte moraemasu ka?
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the words entirely and simply say はい？ with a rising intonation to ask for repetition.
- When apologizing for not hearing, using 聞き取れませんでした (I could not catch it) is considered more polite than the request itself because it shifts the 'blame' for the communication failure onto your own hearing ability.
- The request もう一回言ってよ (mō ikkai itte yo) is so casual that using it with a superior would come across as being assertive or even demanding rather than just friendly.
Examples in context
- すみません、もう一度言ってもらえますか？Sumimasen, mou ichido itte moraemasu ka?Excuse me, can you say that again?
- 聞き取れなかったので、もう一度言ってもらえますか？Kikitorenakatta node, mou ichido itte moraemasu ka?I couldn't catch that, so can you say that again?
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking in a noisy cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、いま何と言いましたか？もう一度言ってもらえますか？Yōta-san, ima nan to iimashita ka? Mō ichido itte moraemasu ka?Yota, what did you just say? Can you say that again?
- 陽太 Yotaいいですよ。明日の集合時間は十時です。Ii desu yo. Ashita no shūgō jikan wa jū-ji desu.Sure. The meeting time tomorrow is ten o'clock.
- 美咲 Misaki十時ですね。わかりました！Jū-ji desu ne. Wakarimashita!Ten o'clock, right. I understand!
- 陽太 Yotaはい、よろしくお願いします。Hai, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Yes, see you then.
