Signification
Asking someone to say something again.
Contexte culturel
Vietnamese people are generally very patient with learners. Asking for repetition is seen as a sign of interest in the conversation. In Hanoi and the North, politeness markers like 'ạ' are used very frequently, even in neutral settings. In Saigon and the South, people might use 'nói lại' more often than 'nhắc lại' in casual speech. In formal settings, it's common to apologize first ('Xin lỗi') before asking for repetition to show humility.
Use your hands
Cupping your ear while saying this phrase helps the speaker understand you didn't hear them.
Don't forget pronouns
Saying 'Nhắc lại được không?' without 'Anh/Chị/Bạn' can sound like you're talking to a machine.
Signification
Asking someone to say something again.
Use your hands
Cupping your ear while saying this phrase helps the speaker understand you didn't hear them.
Don't forget pronouns
Saying 'Nhắc lại được không?' without 'Anh/Chị/Bạn' can sound like you're talking to a machine.
The 'Ạ' Factor
If in doubt, add 'ạ' at the end. It makes any request 100% more polite instantly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
Anh nhắc ____ được không?
'Lại' means 'again' and is part of the compound verb 'nhắc lại' (repeat).
Which of these is the most polite way to ask a teacher to repeat?
Choose the best option:
This uses the correct pronoun (Cô) and the polite particle (ạ).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a noisy market and didn't hear the price.
This asks the vendor to repeat the price you missed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tên tôi là Nguyễn Văn A. B: Xin lỗi, ________?
B is asking A to repeat their name because they missed it.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAnh nhắc ____ được không?
'Lại' means 'again' and is part of the compound verb 'nhắc lại' (repeat).
Choose the best option:
This uses the correct pronoun (Cô) and the polite particle (ạ).
You are in a noisy market and didn't hear the price.
This asks the vendor to repeat the price you missed.
A: Tên tôi là Nguyễn Văn A. B: Xin lỗi, ________?
B is asking A to repeat their name because they missed it.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it's perfectly fine. For very close friends, you might say 'Nói lại đi', but 'Nhắc lại được không?' is never 'too' formal.
You can, but only with people you know very well. With strangers, it sounds like 'What?!' in an aggressive way.
'Nhắc lại' is 'to repeat/re-mention'. 'Nói lại' is 'to say again'. They are 95% interchangeable.
You can say 'Bạn nhắc lại một lần nữa được không?' (Can you repeat one more time?).
This is a Southern Vietnamese accent variation of 'được không'. It's very common in Saigon.
Expressions liées
Nói chậm lại
similarSpeak more slowly
Giải thích lại
specialized formExplain again
Nghe không rõ
builds onDidn't hear clearly
Hả?
informalHuh?
