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What did you say

🇬🇧 UK //wɒt dɪd jʊ seɪ// 🇺🇸 US //wɑt dɪd jə seɪ//

Meaning of What did you say

A way to ask someone to repeat their words.

In simple words: A question asking someone to repeat what they said.

What did you say in a sentence

• I didn’t catch that; what did you say?
• She spoke too softly, so I replied, 'What did you say?'
• He turned to me and asked, 'What did you say?' when I whispered.
• During the meeting, I had to ask, 'What did you say?' to clarify a point.
• When I nap, I often miss details, and I catch myself saying, 'What did you say?'

How to use What did you say

Used in conversations when the speaker did not hear or understand something. Appropriate in most informal and formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone question

Memory hint

Think of a detective asking, 'What did you say?' to gather clues.

Related words

Collocations with What did you say

• What did you just say?
• What did you say again?
• What did you say next?

Synonyms for What did you say

• Pardon?
• Excuse me?
• Could you repeat that?
• What was that?
• I beg your pardon?

Common mistakes with What did you say

• Using 'What did you said?' instead of 'What did you say?'
• Forgetting to use intonation for questions.
• Confusing with 'What are you saying?' which can imply ongoing speech.

Frequently asked questions about "What did you say"

What does "What did you say" mean?

A question asking someone to repeat what they said.

What is the definition of "What did you say"?

A way to ask someone to repeat their words.

How do you use "What did you say" in a sentence?

I didn’t catch that; what did you say?

Can you give another example of "What did you say"?

She spoke too softly, so I replied, 'What did you say?'

What are synonyms for "What did you say"?

Common alternatives include Pardon?, Excuse me?, Could you repeat that?, What was that?, I beg your pardon?.

What words go with "What did you say"?

It commonly pairs with What did you just say?, What did you say again?, What did you say next?.

What are common mistakes when using "What did you say"?

Using 'What did you said?' instead of 'What did you say?' Forgetting to use intonation for questions. Confusing with 'What are you saying?' which can imply ongoing speech.

How do you pronounce "What did you say"?

US: //wɑt dɪd jə seɪ//, UK: //wɒt dɪd jʊ seɪ//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use "What did you say"?

Used in conversations when the speaker did not hear or understand something. Appropriate in most informal and formal contexts.