In 15 Seconds
- Use when audio is muffled, quiet, or distorted.
- Blames the environment or signal, not the speaker.
- Different from 'don't understand' (tīng bù dǒng).
Meaning
This is what you say when you can hear someone making noise, but the words are fuzzy or too quiet to understand. It literally means the sound is reaching your ears, but it isn't 'clear' yet.
Key Examples
3 of 6On a bad phone call
喂？信号不好，我听不清。
Hello? The signal is bad, I can't hear you clearly.
In a loud club or bar
这里太吵了，我听不清你说什么！
It's too noisy here, I can't hear what you're saying!
In a business meeting
不好意思，请大声一点，我听不清。
Sorry, please speak louder, I can't hear clearly.
Cultural Background
In professional settings, it is common to say '请再说一遍' (Please say it again) after '听不清' to show you are still engaged. Similar to the mainland, but '听不清楚' is used slightly more frequently in polite conversation.
Add '不好意思'
Always add '不好意思' to sound polite when you can't hear someone.
In 15 Seconds
- Use when audio is muffled, quiet, or distorted.
- Blames the environment or signal, not the speaker.
- Different from 'don't understand' (tīng bù dǒng).
What It Means
听不清 (tīng bù qīng) is your go-to phrase for technical or physical audio issues. It combines 听 (to listen), 不 (not), and 清 (clear). You aren't saying you are deaf. You are saying the signal is bad. It is like looking through a foggy window but with your ears. Use it when the subway is too loud. Use it when your friend is mumbling into their bubble tea.
How To Use It
Drop this phrase the moment the audio drops out. You can say it alone as a quick reaction. If you want to be polite, add a 不好意思 (sorry) at the start. It functions as a resultative complement. This means the action of listening happened, but the result (clarity) failed. It is short, punchy, and saves you from nodding along to things you didn't actually hear. We've all been there, and it's always awkward later.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly in modern life. Use it during a choppy WeChat voice call. Use it in a crowded Sichuan restaurant when the spice makes everyone shout. It is perfect for noisy streets or windy days. If someone is speaking a dialect you don't know, this is also a safe way to ask for a repeat. It places the blame on the 'clarity' rather than your own language skills. It's a great little face-saving hack!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you simply don't understand the vocabulary. If you heard the words perfectly but don't know what they mean, use 听不懂 (tīng bù dǒng) instead. 听不清 is for volume and quality; 听不懂 is for brains and grammar. Also, don't scream it at your boss if they are giving a boring speech. That might be interpreted as a critique of their public speaking skills rather than the microphone quality.
Cultural Background
Chinese communication often values 'saving face.' By saying 听不清, you are blaming the environment or the connection. It is much softer than saying 'What did you say?' or 'Speak louder.' In the age of high-speed rail and massive cities, noise pollution is a real thing. This phrase has become a universal survival tool for urban life in China. It's the unofficial slogan of every international Zoom call involving Beijing or Shanghai.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more natural, try 我听不清 (I can't hear clearly). For a bit more punch, use 喂？听不清！ (Hey? Can't hear!) when on the phone. If you want to ask if the other person can hear you, just flip it: 你听得清吗？ (Can you hear clearly?). If the sound is totally gone, you might move up to 听不见 (tīng bù jiàn), which means 'I can't hear anything at all.'
Usage Notes
Very versatile. It is neutral enough for the office but short enough for a noisy bar. Just remember: it's about the sound, not the meaning.
Add '不好意思'
Always add '不好意思' to sound polite when you can't hear someone.
Examples
6喂？信号不好，我听不清。
Hello? The signal is bad, I can't hear you clearly.
A classic way to explain why you are hanging up.
这里太吵了，我听不清你说什么！
It's too noisy here, I can't hear what you're saying!
Used when the background noise is the culprit.
不好意思，请大声一点，我听不清。
Sorry, please speak louder, I can't hear clearly.
Adding 'sorry' and 'please' makes it professional.
刚才的语音听不清。
I couldn't hear that voice message clearly.
Commonly used in WeChat conversations.
你没吃饭吗？声音太小我听不清！
Did you not eat? Your voice is so small I can't hear!
A playful way to tell someone to speak up.
你说什么？太小声了，听不清。
What are you saying? It's too quiet, I can't hear.
Focuses on the low volume of the speaker.
Test Yourself
Which phrase should you use if you hear the sound but it is too quiet?
A: 听不懂 B: 听不清
听不清 refers to acoustic clarity, while 听不懂 refers to semantic understanding.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesA: 听不懂 B: 听不清
听不清 refers to acoustic clarity, while 听不懂 refers to semantic understanding.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is a necessary communication tool.
Related Phrases
听不懂
contrastDon't understand
没听清
synonymDidn't hear clearly
