What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 다시 (again), 말씀해 (the honorific form of "to speak") and 주세요 (please give/do for me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
다시 말씀해 주세요 is a standard polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves in most social or professional situations. For a slightly different formal nuance, you can use 한 번 더 말해 주실래요? to mean "Could you say it once more, please?" If you are speaking with friends or people you are close to, you can use the informal 다시 말해 줘 (Say it again, please) or the casual 한 번 더 말해 줄래? (Can you say it once more, please?).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb used in 다시 말씀해 주세요 is 말씀하다, which is the honorific version of 말하다. Using this honorific form makes the phrase appropriate for speaking to superiors or strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
dasi malsseumhae juseyo
When do people say it?
A very common, shorter way to express "Pardon?" or "What was that?" in a polite manner is to say 네? with a rising intonation.
Did you know?
- The phrase 다시 말씀해 주세요 literally translates to 'Please give me the speech again'. The verb 주세요 (to give) is used here to turn the act of speaking into a favor being granted to you.
- While 다시 usually means 'again', in modern slang it can be a loanword from the English 'dash' to describe a sudden sprint.
- The word 말씀 in 다시 말씀해 주세요 is a rare 'humble-honorific' word that can be used both to elevate the listener's speech and to lower the speaker's own speech.
Examples in context
- 죄송하지만 다시 말씀해 주세요.joesonghajiman dasi malsseumhae juseyo.I am sorry, but please repeat that.
- 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말씀해 주세요.jal mot deureosseoyo. dasi malsseumhae juseyo.I didn't hear well. Please repeat it.
- 너무 빨라요. 다시 말씀해 주세요.neomu ppallayo. dasi malsseumhae juseyo.It is too fast. Please repeat it.
Example conversation
A student is asking a teacher to repeat a question.
- 수빈 Su-bin내일 숙제를 꼭 가져오세요.naeil sukjereul kkok gajyeooseyo.Please make sure to bring your homework tomorrow.
- 도현 Do-hyeon죄송합니다, 다시 말씀해 주세요.joesonghamnida, dasi malsseumhae juseyo.I am sorry, please repeat that.
- 수빈 Su-bin내일 숙제를 꼭 가져오라고 했어요.naeil sukjereul kkok gajyeoorago haesseoyo.I said to please bring your homework tomorrow.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 알겠습니다.ne, algetseumnida.Yes, I understand.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 다시, CC BY-SA 4.0.
