30.3 Requesting repetition, and responding
30.3.1 To ask someone to repeat something because you haven’t heard properly, use one of the
following expressions:
¿Cómo? Pardon?, sorry?
¿Cómo dice/s? (formal/fam.) Pardon?, sorry?
¿Cómo ha(s) dicho? or¿Cómo
dijo/dijiste? (formal/fam.) Sorry?, what did you say?
In very informal speech you will sometimes hear the word¿qué?, ‘what?’, but this is
generally considered rude, so it is better to avoid it.
–Hoy he visto a Ignacio.
‘I’ve seen Ignacio today.’
–¿Cómo (dices)?
‘Pardon?’
In parts of Latin America, especially in Mexico, you will hear the word¿mande?,
‘sorry?’, ‘pardon?’ in this context.
30.1 (p. 170)
–Hay una llamada para usted.
‘There is a phone call for you.’
–¿Mande?
‘Pardon?’30.3.2 To answer a request for repetition, speakers will either repeat the exact words said
previously or use a paraphrase. But to indicate that what is being said is a repetition of
what was said earlier, speakers sometimes put other words before the words which are
being repeated. Before statements, Spanish uses the following words:
Que.. .‘that.. .’
Digo que.. .‘I’m saying that.. .’
He dicho que.. .‘I said that.. .’
Decía que.. .‘I was saying that.. .’
–Hemos estado en casa de Isabel.
‘We have been in Isabel’s house.’
–¿Cómo?
‘Sorry?’
–Que hemos estado en casa de Isabel.
‘We have been in Isabel’s house.’
–Necesito más dinero.
‘I need more money.’
–Perdone, ¿cómo ha dicho/dijo?
‘Sorry, what did you say?’
–He dicho que necesito más dinero.
‘I said that I need more money.’
Before questions requiring a yes or no answer, use the following words:
Que si... I was asking you if...
Le/te preguntaba si... (formal/fam.)BASIC STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION 30.3