Could you repeat that?

Say it with a rising intonation at the end. This makes it sound like a polite question. You can add please at the end for extra kindness. If you missed a specific part, you can say it slowly. It works in almost any situation where sound is involved. Don't be afraid to use it twice if needed. Everyone forgets to speak clearly sometimes!

Use it when a loud truck drives by. Use it when your friend speaks too fast. It is perfect for phone calls with bad signals. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter is wearing a mask. It is great for business meetings when someone uses a new word. It is a very safe, 'goldilocks' phrase for everyone.

Don't use it if you actually heard them but disagree. That can sound a bit sarcastic or rude. Avoid using it if you want to sound very cool or 'street'. In those cases, people usually use shorter words. Don't use it if the person is clearly angry. In that moment, silence or a different apology might be better. Also, don't use it ten times in a row. At that point, maybe ask them to write it down!

English speakers value clarity but hate being rude. We often feel bad if we don't understand someone. This phrase is the 'polite standard' in the UK, US, and Canada. It replaced older, more formal phrases like I beg your pardon. It shows you are an active participant in the talk. It bridges the gap between being too formal and too casual.

If you are with close friends, you might just say What? or Huh?. In a fancy office, you might hear Pardon? or Sorry?. If you are texting, you might type Come again?. Some people just say Say that again?. All of these mean the same thing. However, Could you repeat that? is the safest choice for any person you meet.