Spanish · Real conversations
Clarify a meaning naturally in Spanish
Clarification works best when you identify the unclear part. Ask about a word, check a possible interpretation, or request an example that makes the meaning concrete.
Three ways to say it
¿Qué significa esta palabra?
What does this word mean?
Ask about one unfamiliar word.
¿Quieres decir que deberíamos salir ahora?
Do you mean that we should leave now?
Check whether you have understood the person's intended message.
¿Podrías explicarlo con un ejemplo?
Could you explain that with an example?
Ask for a concrete example when a definition is not enough.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'Do you mean ...?' asks about intended meaning, not an average or an unkind person. Keep the target-language construction for intention or meaning instead of translating the isolated word 'mean'.
See the difference in context
An unfamiliar word in a sentence
Hay una palabra nueva en esta oración.
There's a new word in this sentence.
¿Qué significa esta palabra?
What does this word mean?
Checking whether it is time to leave
No tenemos mucho tiempo.
We don't have much time.
¿Quieres decir que deberíamos salir ahora?
Do you mean that we should leave now?
Your turn
You understand the words but not how the idea works. Ask for an explanation with an example.
Reveal a sample reply
¿Podrías explicarlo con un ejemplo?
Could you explain that with an example?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking Spanish
These guides use broadly understandable Latin American Spanish. Tú is familiar and usted is respectful or formal, with important regional variation. Me gustaría and ¿podría …? are useful for considerate requests.
Keep accent marks and opening question marks. Some regions choose different everyday words. Follow the complete example rather than substituting English words one by one, especially with pronouns and expressions of preference.
