pourriez-vous répéter ?
In French, "could you repeat that?" is translated as pourriez-vous répéter ?
This phrase is a polite request used when you have not heard or understood what someone has said and want them to say it again.
Which one should you use?
While pourriez-vous répéter ? is a common way to make the request, you can explicitly include the word "that" to match the English phrase more closely by adding cela or ça to the end, resulting in pourriez-vous répéter cela ? or pourriez-vous répéter ça ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the conditional mood of the verb pouvoir (pourriez) to express politeness, which functions similarly to the English word "could".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid trying to translate "repeat it" literally as répéter le. In French, the verb répéter is often used intransitively in this context without a direct object.
Did you know?
- In French, the verb répéter can also mean 'to coach' or 'to tutor' a student, a secondary meaning that is entirely different from the act of speaking again.
- In very casual settings, French speakers often use the single word Pardon ? with a rising intonation to ask someone to repeat themselves, rather than a full sentence.
- French has a distinct distinction between asking for a repeat of a word and asking for a repeat of an entire explanation, often switching between répéter and reformuler.
Examples in context
- Vous pouvez répéter, s'il vous plaît?Could you repeat that, please?
- Pouvez-vous répéter ce que vous avez dit?Can you repeat what you said?
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous répéter?Excuse me, could you repeat?
- Peux-tu répéter, s'il te plaît?Can you repeat that, please?
- Désolé(e), tu peux répéter?Sorry, can you repeat?
- Pardon, pourriez-vous répéter plus lentement ?Excuse me, could you repeat more slowly?
- Désolé, pourriez-vous répéter ?Sorry, could you repeat that?
- Je n'ai pas compris, pourriez-vous répéter ?I didn't understand, could you repeat that?
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are talking in a busy cafe.
- LucasLe café est très cher ici.The coffee is very expensive here.
- ChloéPardon, pourriez-vous répéter ?Sorry, could you repeat that?
- LucasJe disais que le café est cher.I was saying that the coffee is expensive.
- ChloéAh oui, c'est vrai !Ah yes, that's true!
