Effective communication sometimes requires admitting that you didn’t fully understand what someone said. In Japanese, showing politeness and humility when expressing this is highly appreciated. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to say “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that” in Japanese and provide you with different ways to convey your need for clarification politely.
1. Basic Expression:
The simplest way to express that you didn’t understand and need clarification in Japanese is:
すみません、聞き取れませんでした。
(Romaji: Sumimasen, kikitoremasen deshita.)
- すみません (Sumimasen) means “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me.”
- 聞き取れませんでした (Kikitoremasen deshita) translates to “I couldn’t catch (what you said).”
2. Adding Politeness:
To make your request for clarification more formal and respectful, you can say:
申し訳ありませんが、もう一度お願いできますか？
(Romaji: Moushiwake arimasen ga, mou ichido onegaidekimasu ka?)
- 申し訳ありませんが (Moushiwake arimasen ga) means “I’m sorry, but.”
- もう一度お願いできますか？ (Mou ichido onegaidekimasu ka?) means “Could you please repeat it one more time?”
3. Seeking Clarification:
For a more detailed request for clarification, you can use:
すみません、もう少し詳しく教えていただけますか？
(Romaji: Sumimasen, mou sukoshi kuwashiku oshiete itadakemasu ka?)
- もう少し詳しく (Mou sukoshi kuwashiku) means “a bit more in detail.”
- 教えていただけますか？ (Oshiete itadakemasu ka?) means “Could you please tell me?”
Now that you know how to express that you didn’t catch something and need clarification in Japanese, it’s important to consider the cultural aspects associated with such expressions:
Cultural Nuances:
- Politeness and Humility: Japanese culture values politeness and humility in communication, even when seeking clarification. Using phrases like “申し訳ありません” (Moushiwake arimasen) demonstrates respect for the other person.
- Respecting the Speaker: Expressing your need for clarification is a way of showing that you value the speaker’s words and want to fully understand them.
- Seeking Connection: Politely asking for clarification can lead to clearer communication and deeper connections with others.
In conclusion, expressing that you didn’t catch something and need clarification in Japanese involves using appropriate language to convey your request politely. Whether you opt for a basic expression, add politeness, or seek more detailed clarification, being respectful and humble in your communication is key to effective dialogue.
