zài shuō yī biàn: 再说一遍 - Say It Again, Repeat

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• Summary: “再说一遍” (zài shuō yī biàn) is one of the most essential phrases for any beginner learning Chinese. It literally means “say it again one more time” and is the go-to expression when you need someone to repeat what they've said. Whether in a classroom, a noisy market, or on a bad phone call, understanding how to use “再说一遍” politely and effectively is a crucial survival skill for navigating real-world conversations in Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zài shuō yī biàn
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To say something one more time; to repeat.
• In a Nutshell: This is the direct and functional Chinese equivalent of “Say it again” or “One more time.” It's a request for a complete repetition of something that was just said, usually because the listener didn't hear it clearly or didn't understand. It's a cornerstone phrase for communication repair, especially for language learners.

• 再 (zài): Again; once more. This character is used to indicate the repetition of an action. Think of the common farewell 再见 (zàijiàn), which literally means “again, see.”
• 说 (shuō): To speak; to say. The radical on the left, `言`, is the “speech” radical, found in many characters related to language and talking.
• 一 (yī): One; a single. The simplest character, representing the concept of “one.”
• 遍 (biàn): A measure word for the number of times an action is completed from beginning to end. It implies a full run-through of a process, like reading a book one time through or watching a movie one time through.

When combined, `再说一遍` (zài shuō yī biàn) literally translates to “Again - Speak - One - Complete Time.” This forms a clear and logical request for a full repetition.

While Chinese culture often values indirectness to preserve harmony and 面子 (miànzi), “再说一遍” is a notable exception due to its functional nature. Its primary purpose is clarification, which is universally understood and accepted. Compared to English, where we might instinctively soften the request with phrases like “I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that,” or “Pardon me?”, the base phrase “再说一遍” is more direct. In a neutral context, like a classroom, it is not considered rude. However, context and tone are everything. Using this phrase with a flat, demanding tone can make it sound like an order. Therefore, in most social situations, Chinese speakers will soften it, much like in Western cultures. The cultural significance lies not in the phrase itself, but in *how* it's delivered—usually with softeners like `请 (qǐng)` or framing it as a polite question `可以…吗? (kěyǐ…ma?)` to show respect and avoid appearing demanding. It's a great example of how a simple phrase can be adapted to navigate social hierarchies and politeness norms.

This phrase is used constantly in everyday life by both native speakers and learners.

This is the most common context for a beginner. It's perfectly acceptable and expected for a student to ask a teacher to repeat something.

• Student to teacher: `老师，不好意思，可以请您再说一遍吗？` (Lǎoshī, bù hǎoyìsi, kěyǐ qǐng nín zài shuō yī biàn ma? - Teacher, excuse me, could you please say that again?)

Used when you mishear someone due to background noise, a fast speaker, or a bad phone connection.

• On the phone: `喂？信号不好，你再说一遍。` (Wèi? Xìnhào bù hǎo, nǐ zài shuō yī biàn. - Hello? The signal is bad, say that again.)

The raw phrase `再说一遍` can sound like a command. To be polite, especially when speaking to strangers, elders, or superiors, you should add softeners.

• Using 请 (qǐng) - Please: `请再说一遍。` (Qǐng zài shuō yī biàn.)
• Using 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) - Excuse me: `不好意思，我没听清，您能再说一遍吗？` (Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ méi tīng qīng, nín néng zài shuō yī biàn ma? - Excuse me, I didn't hear clearly, could you say that again?)
• Using the 可以…吗? (kěyǐ…ma?) structure: `可以再说一遍吗？` (Kěyǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma? - Can you say it again?)

• Example 1:
  • 我没听清楚，请再说一遍。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ méi tīng qīngchǔ, qǐng zài shuō yī biàn.
  • English: I didn't hear clearly, please say it again.
  • Analysis: A standard, polite way to make the request. The reason (`我没听清楚`) is given first, which makes the request natural.
• Example 2:
  • 老师，这个词的发音，您可以再说一遍吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, zhège cí de fāyīn, nín kěyǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?
  • English: Teacher, the pronunciation of this word, could you say it again?
  • Analysis: A perfect example of classroom usage. It uses the polite “you” (`您 nín`) and the `可以…吗?` question pattern to show respect.
• Example 3:
  • 价格是多少？对不起，再说一遍。
  • Pinyin: Jiàgé shì duōshǎo? Duìbùqǐ, zài shuō yī biàn.
  • English: How much is the price? Sorry, say it again.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical usage when shopping. `对不起 (duìbùqǐ)` functions as a softener.
• Example 4:
  • 你刚才说什么？风太大了，我听不见。再说一遍！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ gāngcái shuō shénme? Fēng tài dà le, wǒ tīng bùjiàn. Zài shuō yī biàn!
  • English: What did you just say? The wind is too loud, I can't hear. Say it again!
  • Analysis: An informal and slightly urgent request between peers. The exclamation mark indicates a louder, more demanding tone due to the environment.
• Example 5:
  • 这个故事太有意思了！你一定要给我再说一遍！
  • Pinyin: Zhège gùshì tài yǒuyìsi le! Nǐ yīdìng yào gěi wǒ zài shuō yī biàn!
  • English: This story is so interesting! You have to tell it to me again!
  • Analysis: This shows a different motivation for the request—not for clarification, but for enjoyment.
• Example 6:
  • 爸爸，你听好，我只说一遍，不会再说一遍了。
  • Pinyin: Bàba, nǐ tīng hǎo, wǒ zhǐ shuō yī biàn, bù huì zài shuō yī biàn le.
  • English: Dad, listen carefully, I'm only going to say it once, and I won't say it again.
  • Analysis: This example uses the phrase in a negative context to emphasize the importance of listening the first time.
• Example 7:
  • 不好意思，你的名字有点儿复杂，能麻烦你再说一遍吗？
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, nǐ de míngzì yǒudiǎnr fùzá, néng máfan nǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?
  • English: Excuse me, your name is a bit complex, could I trouble you to say it again?
  • Analysis: A very polite and considerate way to ask for repetition, using `麻烦你 (máfan nǐ)` which means “to trouble you.”
• Example 8:
  • 他把老板的指示再说一遍，确保每个人都明白了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ lǎobǎn de zhǐshì zài shuō yī biàn, quèbǎo měi gè rén dōu míngbái le.
  • English: He repeated the boss's instructions one more time to ensure everyone understood.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the phrase used in a third-person narrative, describing the action of repeating.
• Example 9:
  • 你不用再说一遍了，我已经懂了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùyòng zài shuō yī biàn le, wǒ yǐjīng dǒng le.
  • English: You don't need to say it again, I already understand.
  • Analysis: Shows how to refuse an offer to repeat.
• Example 10:
  • 电话里的声音断断续续的，每句话他都得让对方再说一遍。
  • Pinyin: Diànhuà lǐ de shēngyīn duànduànxùxù de, měi jù huà tā dōu děi ràng duìfāng zài shuō yī biàn.
  • English: The voice on the phone was cutting in and out, for every sentence he had to have the other person say it again.
  • Analysis: A more complex sentence structure (`让…再说一遍` - to make someone say it again) showing the versatility of the phrase.

• Mistake 1: Sounding Demanding.
  • A learner just saying `再说一遍` with a flat tone to a stranger or an elder can sound like a command.
  • Correction: Always soften it with `请 (qǐng)`, `可以…吗? (kěyǐ…ma?)`, or `不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)`. Politeness is key.
• Mistake 2: Confusing `遍 (biàn)` and `次 (cì)`.
  • `次 (cì)` also means “time” and can be used for repetition. `再说一次 (zài shuō yī cì)` is grammatically correct and widely understood.
  • The Nuance: `遍 (biàn)` emphasizes the completion of an action from beginning to end. When you want someone to repeat a whole sentence or explanation, `遍` is more natural and standard. `次 (cì)` simply counts occurrences. For the specific request of “Say it again,” `再说一遍` is the more common and idiomatic set phrase.
• Mistake 3: Incomplete Phrase.
  • Incorrect: `* 你再说一。 (Nǐ zài shuō yī.)`
  • Why it's wrong: It's like saying “You again say one.” in English. It's missing the crucial measure word `遍 (biàn)` that completes the meaning of “one time.”

• 重复 (chóngfù) - A more formal, written verb meaning “to repeat” or “to duplicate.” While `再说一遍` is for spoken requests, `重复` is used in instructions like “请不要重复提交” (Please do not submit repeatedly).
• 再说一次 (zài shuō yī cì) - A very close synonym. The difference is the subtle nuance between `遍` (a complete run-through) and `次` (an instance). Both are acceptable in most situations.
• 再说 (zài shuō) - Can mean “furthermore” or “talk about it later.” For example: `我们先吃饭，工作的事儿以后再说。` (Let's eat first, we'll talk about work later). Don't confuse it with the request for repetition.
• 听不懂 (tīng bù dǒng) - “I don't understand (by listening).” This is often the reason you need to ask someone to `再说一遍`. You can combine them: `不好意思，我听不懂，可以再说一遍吗？`
• 什么 (shénme) - “What?” When said with a rising intonation (`什么？`), it can be used to ask for repetition, but it's very informal, similar to just saying “What?” or “Huh?” in English.
• 请 (qǐng) - “Please.” The most important word for adding politeness to this or any other request.
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - “Can; may.” Essential for forming polite questions to ask for permission or make a request, e.g., `可以…吗?`.
• 没听清 (méi tīng qīng) - “Didn't hear clearly.” A polite and specific reason to give before asking someone to repeat themselves.