te refieres
/te ɾefjeɾes/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "do you mean" is te refieres.
This phrase is used to ask for clarification about what someone is talking about or referring to.
Which one should you use?
While te refieres is used to clarify a reference to a specific thing or person, quieres decir is more commonly used to ask for the meaning of a specific word or expression.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression ¿A qué te refieres? is widely used throughout Latin America. In Spain, the informal phrase ¿Qué quieres decir? is commonly used to ask "do you mean".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to someone formally, you must change te refieres to se refiere.
How do you pronounce it?
/te ɾefjeɾes/
Did you know?
- The verb in te refieres comes from the same root as the English word 'referee', which originally meant one who directs or manages a matter.
- The phrase quieres decir, which means 'do you mean', literally translates to 'you want to say'.
- In some Spanish dialects, the phrase ¿me explico? is used as a reverse version of 'do you mean', asking 'am I making myself clear' to ensure the listener understands the speaker's meaning.
Examples in context
- ¿A qué te refieres con "muerto"?What do you mean by "dead"?This sentence shows how to use te refieres to ask for clarification on the meaning of a specific word.Tatoeba #1714006 by marcelostockle, translation #2092339 by MethodGT
- ¿Te refieres al planeta o al dios?Do you mean the planet or the god?This sentence uses te refieres to clarify if the speaker is referring to a planet or a god.Tatoeba #9993760 by manufrutos, translation #9992932 by shekitten
- ¿Te refieres al planeta o a la diosa?Do you mean the planet or the goddess?This sentence uses te refieres to clarify if the speaker is referring to a planet or a goddess.Tatoeba #9993834 by manufrutos, translation #9992933 by shekitten
- Voy a salir de viaje por unos días. / ¿A qué te refieres? ¿Te vas de vacaciones?I'm going on a trip for a few days. / What do you mean? Are you going on vacation?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing plans at a cafe.
- AlejandroTenemos que hablar de la fiesta.We have to talk about the party.
- Elena¿Te refieres a la fiesta de cumpleaños de Juan?Do you mean Juan's birthday party?
- AlejandroSí, exactamente a esa.Yes, exactly that one.
- ElenaVale, yo puedo ir.Okay, I can go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
