Bedeutung
Requesting to hear information again.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Finns value directness. If you don't hear something, it's better to ask 'Voitko toistaa?' immediately rather than pretending to understand. Faking understanding is seen as a waste of time. In Finnish schools, students are encouraged to interrupt if they don't follow. 'Voitko toistaa?' is a very common sound in any lecture hall. In the highly tech-savvy Finnish culture, this phrase is used constantly on Teams and Zoom. Finns are very forgiving of technical glitches. Older Finns might prefer the formal 'Voisitteko', while younger generations use 'Voitko' almost everywhere. As a learner, 'Voitko' is a safe middle ground.
Add 'Anteeksi'
Always start with 'Anteeksi' (Excuse me/Sorry) to sound much more polite and natural.
Don't just say 'Mitä?'
While common, 'Mitä?' can sound like 'Huh?' or 'What?!' in a rude way if your intonation is flat.
Bedeutung
Requesting to hear information again.
Add 'Anteeksi'
Always start with 'Anteeksi' (Excuse me/Sorry) to sound much more polite and natural.
Don't just say 'Mitä?'
While common, 'Mitä?' can sound like 'Huh?' or 'What?!' in a rude way if your intonation is flat.
Finns are patient
Don't be afraid to ask twice. Finns generally appreciate that you are trying to learn their difficult language.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing verb in its correct form.
Anteeksi, voitko _______?
After the modal verb 'voitko', you must use the infinitive form 'toistaa'.
Which phrase is the most polite for a job interview?
Asking for repetition in a formal setting:
'Voisitteko' uses the conditional mood and plural 'you', making it the most formal and polite.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Nimeni on Korhonen. B: Anteeksi, _______?
B is asking for the name to be repeated because they didn't catch it.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a loud concert and can't hear your friend.
This is the standard phrase for when you can't hear someone due to noise.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ways to ask for repetition
Formal
- • Voisitteko toistaa?
- • Saisinko pyytää toistoa?
Neutral
- • Voitko toistaa?
- • Anteeksi?
Informal
- • Sanoisitko uudestaan?
- • Mitä sanoit?
Slang
- • Täh?
- • Mitä?
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenAnteeksi, voitko _______?
After the modal verb 'voitko', you must use the infinitive form 'toistaa'.
Asking for repetition in a formal setting:
'Voisitteko' uses the conditional mood and plural 'you', making it the most formal and polite.
A: Nimeni on Korhonen. B: Anteeksi, _______?
B is asking for the name to be repeated because they didn't catch it.
You are at a loud concert and can't hear your friend.
This is the standard phrase for when you can't hear someone due to noise.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIn modern Finland, it's usually fine, but 'Voisitko toistaa?' is safer and more professional.
'Toistaa' is the verb (to repeat), 'uudestaan' is the adverb (again). You say 'Voitko toistaa?' or 'Sanoisitko uudestaan?'.
Yes, 'Anteeksi?' with a rising intonation is a very common and polite way to ask for a repeat.
Say 'Voitko toistaa hitaasti?'.
Yes, 'Täh?' or 'Mitä?' are the most common slang/informal versions.
The '-ko' is a question particle that turns the statement 'Voit' (You can) into a question.
No, for text you would say 'Voitko kirjoittaa sen uudestaan?' (Can you write it again?).
Say 'En vieläkään ymmärrä, voitko selittää?' (I still don't understand, can you explain?).
Yes, 'toistaa' is also the verb for 'to play' media (like a song or video).
It literally means 'Can you', but in this context, it functions as a request like 'Will you'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Sanoisitko uudestaan?
synonymWould you say it again?
Mitä sanoit?
similarWhat did you say?
Voisitko puhua hitaammin?
builds onCould you speak more slowly?
Kerrata
specialized formTo review/recap
Mitä?
similarWhat?
