Meaning
A polite request for someone to repeat what they just said.
Cultural Background
In Delhi and Punjab, people might use 'जी?' (Ji?) with a rising intonation as a very quick way to ask for repetition. It is polite and efficient. In modern offices, 'Pardon' is often used even when speaking Hindi, but 'इसे फिर से कहिए' remains the standard for formal Hindi-only interactions. Hindi speakers in the South may use 'दोबारा बोलिए' (Dobara boliye) more frequently as it feels more direct and easier to conjugate for non-native Hindi speakers. In villages, 'का कहो?' (Ka kaho? - Dialectal) might be heard, but as a traveler, using the standard 'इसे फिर से कहिए' will earn you great respect for your manners.
The 'Ji' Sandwich
For maximum politeness, start with 'Ji' and end with 'Kahiye': 'जी, इसे फिर से कहिए।'
Avoid 'Kya'
Never use 'Kya?' with a flat tone; it sounds like you are annoyed. Use 'Ji?' instead.
Meaning
A polite request for someone to repeat what they just said.
The 'Ji' Sandwich
For maximum politeness, start with 'Ji' and end with 'Kahiye': 'जी, इसे फिर से कहिए।'
Avoid 'Kya'
Never use 'Kya?' with a flat tone; it sounds like you are annoyed. Use 'Ji?' instead.
Body Language
Slightly leaning forward or cupping your ear while saying this makes your intent clear and friendly.
Test Yourself
You are talking to your doctor. Which phrase is most appropriate to ask him to repeat a medical term?
डॉक्टर साहब, ____।
A doctor requires the formal 'Aap' form, which ends in '-iye'.
Complete the sentence using the correct form of 'this' (ise).
क्षमा करें, ____ फिर से कहिए।
When 'this' is the object of the verb, 'yeh' becomes 'ise'.
Match the phrase to the correct social context.
1. फिर से बोल (A) 2. इसे फिर से कहिए (B)
'-iye' is formal, while the root form 'bol' is very informal.
Fill in the missing line in this phone conversation.
A: कल सुबह 9 बजे मीटिंग है। B: माफ़ कीजिए, नेटवर्क खराब है। ____?
The context of 'bad network' requires a request for repetition.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to ask for repetition
Formal
- • इसे फिर से कहिए
- • क्षमा करें
- • पुनरावृत्ति करें
Informal
- • फिर से बोल
- • क्या?
- • हूँ?
Practice Bank
4 exercisesडॉक्टर साहब, ____।
A doctor requires the formal 'Aap' form, which ends in '-iye'.
क्षमा करें, ____ फिर से कहिए।
When 'this' is the object of the verb, 'yeh' becomes 'ise'.
1. फिर से बोल (A) 2. इसे फिर से कहिए (B)
'-iye' is formal, while the root form 'bol' is very informal.
A: कल सुबह 9 बजे मीटिंग है। B: माफ़ कीजिए, नेटवर्क खराब है। ____?
The context of 'bad network' requires a request for repetition.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, with close friends, 'फिर से बोलना' (Phir se bolna) is more natural.
In big cities, yes, but 'इसे फिर से कहिए' is better for practicing your Hindi and showing respect.
'Kahiye' is 'say' (content), 'Boliye' is 'speak' (action). They are often interchangeable.
Say: 'इसे फिर से धीरे कहिए' (Ise phir se dheere kahiye).
Both are fine. 'फिर से' is slightly more common in daily speech.
'Ji?' is a polite shorthand. 'इसे फिर से कहिए' is more specific and formal.
Yes, but in texting, people often use 'Kya?' or 'Phir se bolna'.
Say: 'माफ़ कीजिए, मुझे अभी भी समझ नहीं आया' (Sorry, I still didn't understand).
It is 'Ise' (one 's'). 'Isse' means 'from this'.
It can, but 'बताना' (batana) is more common for 'tell'.
Related Phrases
दोबारा बोलिए
synonymSpeak again
माफ़ कीजिए
similarExcuse me / Pardon
जी?
specialized formYes? / Pardon?
एक बार और
builds onOne more time
विस्तार से बताइए
specialized formTell in detail
