Spanish Phrase
¿Puedes repetirlo?
Meaning
Literally, “Can you repeat it?” It is a polite request for the listener to say something again, usually because the speaker didn’t hear or understand the first utterance.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal conversations when you need clarification, such as in a classroom, a meeting, or a casual chat. It works well with friends, classmates, or colleagues you already know.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Puedesrepetirlo?
Poder (present)
‘Puedes’ is the second‑person singular present of the verb poder, used to ask if someone is able to do something.
Infinitive after poder
When poder is followed by another verb, that verb stays in the infinitive (repetir).
Direct‑object pronoun ‘lo’
‘Lo’ replaces a masculine singular noun (e.g., la frase, la información) and must be attached to the infinitive.
Interrogative punctuation
Spanish questions are enclosed by opening (¿) and closing (?) marks; the opening mark is mandatory.
🗨In Conversation
¿Puedes repetirlo?
Can you repeat it?
Claro, dije que la reunión empieza a las tres.
Sure, I said the meeting starts at three.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Puedes repetir?
The direct‑object pronoun ‘lo’ is required to specify what should be repeated.
Puedes repetirlo?
Missing the opening inverted question mark makes the sentence look like a statement.
¿Puedes repetirlo?
In formal contexts, using the conditional ‘podrías’ sounds more polite.
↔Alternatives
¿Podrías repetirlo?
Could you repeat it?
¿Me lo puedes repetir?
Can you repeat it for me?
¿Puedes decirlo otra vez?
Can you say it again?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking cultures, asking for clarification is normal, but using ‘poder’ (puedes) is slightly more informal than ‘podrías’. If you’re speaking to a stranger, a teacher, or someone older, you might prefer the conditional form ‘¿Podrías repetirlo?’ to sound extra courteous.