Bedeutung
Asking someone to repeat themselves.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Estonians value directness but also personal space. Asking someone to repeat themselves is seen as a sign of active listening rather than a lack of intelligence. In the Nordic-Baltic region, silence is comfortable. If someone doesn't hear you, they will wait for a natural pause to ask 'Vabanda, mis sa ütlesid?' rather than interrupting immediately. In Estonian gaming and tech circles, the phrase is often shortened to just 'Mis?' or 'Oota, mis?'. This is very common on platforms like Discord. There is a strict divide between 'sina' (informal) and 'te' (formal). Using 'Vabanda' with a 'te' person is a significant social faux pas.
Use your body language
Lean in slightly and cup your ear. It makes the phrase feel more natural and friendly.
Watch the 'Mida?'
Avoid just saying 'Mida?' unless you are with very close friends, as it can sound like 'What do you want?!'.
Bedeutung
Asking someone to repeat themselves.
Use your body language
Lean in slightly and cup your ear. It makes the phrase feel more natural and friendly.
Watch the 'Mida?'
Avoid just saying 'Mida?' unless you are with very close friends, as it can sound like 'What do you want?!'.
The 'Missa' shortcut
Pronounce 'mis sa' as 'missa' to sound more like a native speaker.
Politeness matters
If in doubt, use 'Kuidas palun?'. It is never wrong and always polite.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the informal phrase.
Vabanda, mis sa ________?
We need the 2nd person singular past tense to match 'sa'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a friend at a loud concert?
Choose the best option:
This is the most natural informal way to ask for repetition.
Complete the dialogue.
Mari: 'Ma lähen täna kinno.' Jüri: '________, mis sa ütlesid? Ma ei kuulnud.'
Jüri is asking for repetition, so 'Vabanda' is the correct opening.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
Who would you say 'Vabanda, mis sa ütlesid?' to?
This phrase is informal and suitable for family and friends.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenVabanda, mis sa ________?
We need the 2nd person singular past tense to match 'sa'.
Choose the best option:
This is the most natural informal way to ask for repetition.
Mari: 'Ma lähen täna kinno.' Jüri: '________, mis sa ütlesid? Ma ei kuulnud.'
Jüri is asking for repetition, so 'Vabanda' is the correct opening.
Who would you say 'Vabanda, mis sa ütlesid?' to?
This phrase is informal and suitable for family and friends.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenBoth are fine, but 'Vabanda' is more active ('Excuse me'), while 'Vabandust' is more like 'Apologies'.
If the teacher is informal, yes. If they are traditional, use 'Vabandage, mis te ütlesite?'.
Because the person already finished speaking. You are asking about a past action.
No, it's actually polite because it shows you care about what they said.
Say: 'Vabanda, ma ikka ei saanud aru. Kas sa saaksid seda teistmoodi öelda?' (Sorry, I still didn't understand. Could you say it differently?)
In this phrase, yes. 'Mis sa ütlesid?' is the standard word order.
Yes, with a rising intonation, it works as 'Sorry?'.
Use the plural: 'Vabandage, mis te ütlesite?'.
Yes, 'Mis asja?' is a very common slang way to say 'What on earth did you say?'.
'Kuidas palun?' is considered the most polite and neutral.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kuidas palun?
synonymPardon?
Mida?
synonymWhat?
Korda palun.
builds onRepeat, please.
Ma ei kuulnud.
similarI didn't hear.
Räägi aeglasemalt.
similarSpeak slower.
Vabandage, mis te ütlesite?
specialized formSorry, what did you say? (Formal)
