What do they mean?
Have you ever come across a word or phrase that you don't understand? It can be frustrating when you're trying to communicate with someone and you don't know what they're saying. Here are some ways to ask "what do they mean?" in English.
1. What does that mean?
This is a simple and direct way to ask for clarification. If someone says something that you don't understand, you can simply ask "what does that mean?" They will then explain the word or phrase in question.
2. Can you explain that to me?
If you want a more detailed explanation, you can ask someone to explain the concept to you. This is a good way to show that you are genuinely interested in understanding what they are saying.
3. I'm not familiar with that term. Could you define it for me?
If you're in a professional setting and someone uses a term that you're not familiar with, it's important to ask for clarification. This shows that you're engaged and interested in learning more about the topic at hand.
4. Could you give me an example?
Sometimes, it's easier to understand a concept if you have an example to work with. If someone is explaining something to you and you're having trouble understanding, ask for an example to help clarify things.
5. I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you repeat it?
If you're having trouble understanding someone because of their accent or because they are speaking too quickly, it's okay to ask them to repeat what they said. It's better to ask for clarification than to pretend that you understood when you didn't.
6. What's the meaning behind that?
Sometimes, you may understand the literal definition of a word or phrase, but you're not sure what it means in the context of the conversation. In this case, you can ask "what's the meaning behind that?" to get a better understanding of the speaker's intentions.
7. Could you put that in simpler terms?
If you're having trouble understanding a complex concept, it's okay to ask someone to simplify it for you. This can help you grasp the main idea and make it easier for you to understand.
Conclusion
Asking for clarification is an important part of communication. Don't be afraid to ask "what do they mean?" if you're not sure what someone is saying. It's better to ask for clarification than to pretend that you understand when you don't. By using these phrases, you can improve your understanding and have more productive conversations.