A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What do you mean" in Spanish
Politely ask for clarification when you don't understand someone's meaning in Spanish.
¿Qué quieres decir?
keh kee-EH-res dee-SEERneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when someone says something confusing or unexpected. It's a direct way to ask them to explain their point further.
Alternatives
- ¿A qué te refieres?Use when asking what someone is referring to specifically.
- ¿Cómo?A very brief, often surprised way to ask for repetition or clarification.
Ways to get it wrong
Don't use 'significar'
While 'significar' means 'to mean', it's not used in this direct question format.
Pronounce 'quieres' correctly
The 'quie' sounds like 'kyeh', not 'kwee'.
A small cultural note
In some regions, a softer tone or a slight head tilt can further soften this direct question.
Frequently asked
what do you mean in spanish formal
For a more formal situation, you could use '¿Qué quiere decir usted?'. This uses the formal 'usted' form of the verb.
what do you mean vs what are you referring to spanish
'¿Qué quieres decir?' asks about the meaning of words or a statement. '¿A qué te refieres?' asks about the specific subject or topic someone is talking about.
can i use 'que quieres decir' with friends
Yes, '¿Qué quieres decir?' is perfectly fine for friends. It's a common and natural way to ask for clarification in casual settings.
How do you ask what do you mean in Spanish?
The most common way to ask 'What do you mean?' in Spanish is '¿Qué quieres decir?' You can also use '¿A qué te refieres?' which is slightly more formal.
What do you mean translated to Spanish?
The direct translation of 'What do you mean?' to Spanish is '¿Qué quieres decir?' This phrase is widely understood and used.
What does 'qué es esto' mean?
'¿Qué es esto?' translates to 'What is this?' in English. It is used to inquire about the identity or nature of an object.
