What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "please again say one time".
Which one should you use?
请再说一遍 (qǐng zài shuō yí biàn) and 请再说一次 (qǐng zài shuō yí cì) are often interchangeable. However, 一遍 (yí biàn) emphasizes the completeness of the repetition, while 一次 (yí cì) focuses on the frequency of the occurrence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Including the word 请 (qǐng), meaning "please", makes 请再说一遍 a polite request suitable for most social situations. If you remove the word 请 to say 再说一遍, it becomes an informal command or request used among friends and family.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, 一遍 (yí biàn) specifically refers to one full cycle or one time through a process, such as a sentence or a song.
How do you pronounce it?
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying 请再说 (please say again). English speakers often omit the measure word at the end, but in Chinese, it sounds incomplete or unnatural to end the request without a measure word like 一遍 (yí biàn) or 一次 (yí cì).
Did you know?
- The character 请 (qǐng) in this phrase originally referred to 'inviting' a guest, meaning that when you ask someone to repeat something, you are linguistically 'inviting' them to speak again.
- Chinese speakers may use the phrase 请再说一遍 even if they heard the words perfectly, as a way to give themselves more time to process the meaning of a complex sentence.
- In many Chinese dialects, the way a person asks for repetition can signal their social status. Using the formal 请 (qǐng) is not just about being polite, but also about maintaining 'face' and social harmony in professional environments.
Examples in context
- 请重复一遍。Please repeat it.
- 请再说一次。Please say it again.
- 再说一次好吗？Can you say it again, please?
- 请再说一遍。Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.Please say it one more time.
- 不好意思，请再说一遍。Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.Sorry, please repeat that.
- 没听清，请再说一遍。Méi tīng qīng, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.I didn't hear clearly, please repeat it.
Example conversation
A student asks a teacher to repeat a sentence in a classroom.
- 志强 Zhiqiang老师，请再说一遍。Lǎoshī, qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.Teacher, please say it one more time.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，我再读一次。Hǎo de, wǒ zài dú yí cì.Okay, I will read it once more.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢您。Xièxie nín.Thank you.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不客气。Bú kèqi.You're welcome.
