Successfully Using English at Work. Tip #4: It’s OK to Say “I Don’t Understand” and Ask for Help
Most bosses and
co-workers will prefer you say “I don’t understand” or “I don’t know what you
just said” than pretend like you understand. Not admitting that you didn’t get
something will cause problems later, and honesty is important for good
workplace communication.
Get comfortable with
saying “I don’t understand.” Ask your co-worker/boss to slow down, repeat it a
different way or demonstrate what they wanted to explain (if possible). When
possible, repeat what you think they said, and ask if it was correct.
Eventually, most of these
new words will become familiar and you will ask for help less and less often.
Examples of what to say:
Sorry, I
didn’t understand. Can you explain that again?
I’m not sure I understood, could you [show
me/demonstrate] how to do this task?
Sorry, could you please repeat that slower?
Could you please say that again slowly?
I
think you mean… Is that correct?
