Other Ways to Ask What Does That Mean In 2026

Quick Answer:
If you want other ways to ask what does that mean, try phrases like could you clarify, what do you mean by that, can you explain further, I’m not sure I understand, or could you elaborate. These alternatives help you sound clearer, more polite, and more confident.

The phrase what does that mean is commonly used when something is unclear or confusing. While correct, repeating it too often can sound blunt, basic, or overly informal.

Learning other ways to ask what does that mean improves fluency, tone awareness, and confidence. It allows English learners and professionals to ask questions without sounding rude or unsure.

Using alternatives also helps you adjust your tone based on context, whether you are in a meeting, classroom, or casual conversation, and express excitement in English when learning something new.

Quick Categories

Formal alternatives to “what does that mean”

Could you clarify
May I ask for clarification
What is the interpretation

Pro Tip: In formal settings, use polite structures and indirect questions.

Casual alternatives

What do you mean
Can you explain that
Huh, what’s that

Pro Tip: Casual phrasing works best with friends or familiar speakers.

Professional alternatives

Could you elaborate
Can you clarify this point
I’d like more context

Pro Tip: Professional questions sound neutral and solution focused.

Informal expressions

What’s that supposed to mean
Say that again
I don’t get it

Pro Tip: Informal expressions are natural but should be avoided in writing.

“Asking clear questions is a sign of confidence, not weakness.”

Common Mistakes People Make

Sounding too blunt
Example: What does that even mean?
Interrupting abruptly
Example: Wait, what?
Overusing the same phrase
Example: What does that mean? repeated multiple times.
Sounding accusatory
Example: What is that supposed to mean?
Using informal phrases in formal writing
Example: I don’t get this. (in an email)

What Does “What Does That Mean” Mean?

It is a direct question used to ask for clarification or explanation of something unclear.

Grammatically, it is a simple present tense question.

Example sentence:
Sorry, what does that mean in this context?

When to Use “What Does That Mean”

• Asking for clarification
• Learning new vocabulary
• Casual conversations
• Mostly spoken English
• Informal to neutral tone

Is It Professional or Polite to Say “What Does That Mean”?

It is polite but often too informal for professional settings.

Business example:
Instead of saying what does that mean, say could you clarify this point?

Polite? ✔️ Yes
Professional? ❌ No in most cases

Pros and Cons of Using “What Does That Mean”

Pros

• Simple and natural
• Easy to understand
• Common in spoken English
• Beginner friendly

Cons

• Too informal for work
• Can sound blunt
• Overused
• Limited tone flexibility

“Professional English is about tone, not just grammar.”

Other Ways to Ask “What Does That Mean” (With Examples)

These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations.
Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement, admiration, or approval when learning new information.

1. Phrase: Could you clarify that?

Meaning: Ask for clearer explanation.
Explanation: Polite and professional.
Example Sentence: Could you clarify that point, please?
Best Use: meetings
Worst Use: casual jokes
Tone: polite, neutral
Context Variability: professional

2. Phrase: What do you mean by that?

Meaning: Ask for intended meaning.
Explanation: Direct but neutral.
Example Sentence: What do you mean by that exactly?
Best Use: conversations
Worst Use: emotional moments
Tone: neutral, curious
Context Variability: spoken

3. Phrase: Can you explain that?

Meaning: Request explanation.
Explanation: Friendly and common.
Example Sentence: Can you explain that again?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: formal writing
Tone: friendly, open
Context Variability: casual

4. Phrase: I’m not sure I understand

Meaning: Express confusion politely.
Explanation: Softens the question.
Example Sentence: I’m not sure I understand your point.
Best Use: professional settings
Worst Use: debates
Tone: polite, cautious
Context Variability: professional

5. Phrase: Could you elaborate?

Meaning: Ask for more detail.
Explanation: Formal and respectful.
Example Sentence: Could you elaborate on that?
Best Use: meetings
Worst Use: casual chats
Tone: formal, professional
Context Variability: professional

6. Phrase: Can you give more details?

Meaning: Request extra information.
Explanation: Neutral tone.
Example Sentence: Can you give more details on this?
Best Use: discussions
Worst Use: arguments
Tone: neutral, clear
Context Variability: professional

7. Phrase: What exactly does that mean?

Meaning: Ask for precise meaning.
Explanation: Emphasizes clarity.
Example Sentence: What exactly does that mean here?
Best Use: explanations
Worst Use: confrontations
Tone: direct, neutral
Context Variability: spoken

8. Phrase: Can you put that another way?

Meaning: Ask for rephrasing.
Explanation: Helpful for learners.
Example Sentence: Can you put that another way?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: formal reports
Tone: friendly, curious
Context Variability: spoken

9. Phrase: I need a bit more context

Meaning: Ask for background.
Explanation: Professional phrasing.
Example Sentence: I need a bit more context to understand.
Best Use: workplace
Worst Use: casual jokes
Tone: professional, calm
Context Variability: professional

10. Phrase: Could you expand on that?

Meaning: Ask for further explanation.
Explanation: Formal and clear.
Example Sentence: Could you expand on that idea?
Best Use: presentations
Worst Use: casual chats
Tone: formal, neutral
Context Variability: professional

11. Phrase: What does this refer to?

Meaning: Ask about reference.
Explanation: Useful in writing.
Example Sentence: What does this refer to exactly?
Best Use: documents
Worst Use: casual talk
Tone: formal, precise
Context Variability: professional

12. Phrase: Can you walk me through it?

Meaning: Ask for step by step explanation.
Explanation: Friendly but clear.
Example Sentence: Can you walk me through it?
Best Use: training
Worst Use: formal writing
Tone: friendly, practical
Context Variability: spoken

13. Phrase: I didn’t quite follow that

Meaning: Express mild confusion.
Explanation: Polite and natural.
Example Sentence: I didn’t quite follow that part.
Best Use: meetings
Worst Use: arguments
Tone: polite, gentle
Context Variability: professional

14. Phrase: Could you rephrase that?

Meaning: Ask to say it differently.
Explanation: Clear and respectful.
Example Sentence: Could you rephrase that sentence?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: emotional moments
Tone: polite, neutral
Context Variability: professional

15. Phrase: What are you referring to?

Meaning: Ask for clarification.
Explanation: Neutral and precise.
Example Sentence: What are you referring to exactly?
Best Use: discussions
Worst Use: confrontations
Tone: neutral, direct
Context Variability: professional

16. Phrase: I’m a bit confused

Meaning: Express uncertainty.
Explanation: Casual and honest.
Example Sentence: I’m a bit confused about this.
Best Use: informal learning
Worst Use: formal emails
Tone: casual, honest
Context Variability: spoken

17. Phrase: Can you break that down?

Meaning: Ask for simpler explanation.
Explanation: Friendly tone.
Example Sentence: Can you break that down for me?
Best Use: explanations
Worst Use: formal writing
Tone: friendly, informal
Context Variability: casual

18. Phrase: What’s the idea behind that?

Meaning: Ask about intention.
Explanation: Curious tone.
Example Sentence: What’s the idea behind that decision?
Best Use: discussions
Worst Use: arguments
Tone: curious, neutral
Context Variability: spoken

19. Phrase: Could you clarify your point?

Meaning: Ask for clearer position.
Explanation: Professional phrasing.
Example Sentence: Could you clarify your point?
Best Use: meetings
Worst Use: casual chats
Tone: professional, polite
Context Variability: professional

20. Phrase: I don’t quite get it

Meaning: Express confusion casually.
Explanation: Informal and honest.
Example Sentence: I don’t quite get it yet.
Best Use: friends
Worst Use: workplace emails
Tone: informal, honest
Context Variability: casual

21. Phrase: What does this imply?

Meaning: Ask about deeper meaning.
Explanation: Formal tone.
Example Sentence: What does this imply for the project?
Best Use: analysis
Worst Use: casual talk
Tone: formal, analytical
Context Variability: professional

22. Phrase: Can you clarify the meaning?

Meaning: Ask for definition.
Explanation: Clear and direct.
Example Sentence: Can you clarify the meaning of this term?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: arguments
Tone: neutral, clear
Context Variability: professional

23. Phrase: What should I understand from this?

Meaning: Ask about takeaway.
Explanation: Reflective tone.
Example Sentence: What should I understand from this?
Best Use: discussions
Worst Use: casual chats
Tone: thoughtful, neutral
Context Variability: professional

24. Phrase: Could you explain this further?

Meaning: Ask for more explanation.
Explanation: Polite and common.
Example Sentence: Could you explain this further?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: emotional situations
Tone: polite, neutral
Context Variability: professional

25. Phrase: I need clarification

Meaning: State need clearly.
Explanation: Direct but professional.
Example Sentence: I need clarification on this point.
Best Use: emails
Worst Use: casual talk
Tone: formal, direct
Context Variability: professional

26. Phrase: What do you mean exactly?

Meaning: Ask for precision.
Explanation: Slightly informal.
Example Sentence: What do you mean exactly by that?
Best Use: conversations
Worst Use: confrontations
Tone: curious, direct
Context Variability: spoken

27. Phrase: Can you explain your reasoning?

Meaning: Ask about logic.
Explanation: Analytical tone.
Example Sentence: Can you explain your reasoning here?
Best Use: debates
Worst Use: casual chats
Tone: analytical, formal
Context Variability: professional

28. Phrase: I’d like more clarification

Meaning: Polite request.
Explanation: Formal phrasing.
Example Sentence: I’d like more clarification on this issue.
Best Use: workplace
Worst Use: friendships
Tone: formal, polite
Context Variability: professional

29. Phrase: What’s your point?

Meaning: Ask for main idea.
Explanation: Can sound blunt.
Example Sentence: What’s your point exactly?
Best Use: debates
Worst Use: sensitive contexts
Tone: direct, firm
Context Variability: spoken

30. Phrase: Can you help me understand this?

Meaning: Ask politely for explanation.
Explanation: Friendly and respectful.
Example Sentence: Can you help me understand this better?
Best Use: learning
Worst Use: confrontations
Tone: polite, friendly
Context Variability: professional

“Good questions make your English sound confident and intelligent.”

Comparison Table: Top Alternatives

Phrase	Tone	Best Use
Could you clarify that	Polite	Meetings
What do you mean by that	Neutral	Conversation
Could you elaborate	Formal	Workplace
I’m not sure I understand	Polite	Professional
Can you explain that	Friendly	Learning
Can you rephrase that	Neutral	Language learning
I need clarification	Formal	Emails
Can you break that down	Informal	Casual
What does this imply	Analytical	Analysis
Can you help me understand	Friendly	Any context

Table: Formal vs Informal

Level	Example Phrase	Setting
Formal	Could you elaborate	Office
Neutral	Can you explain that	Mixed
Informal	I don’t get it	Friends

Table: Tone Guide

Situation	Recommended Phrase	Tone
Meeting	Could you clarify your point	Professional
Learning	Can you explain that	Friendly
Casual	What do you mean	Informal

Mini Quiz: Self Check

Which phrase is best for an email?
A. I don’t get it
B. Could you clarify this
C. What’s your point
Correct answer: B
Which phrase is too informal for work?
A. I’m not sure I understand
B. Can you break that down
C. Could you elaborate
Correct answer: B
Which phrase asks for deeper meaning?
A. Can you explain that
B. What does this imply
C. Can you help me understand
Correct answer: B

FAQs

What is the most polite way to ask what does that mean?
Could you clarify that or I’m not sure I understand are polite options.

Are these alternatives professional?
Yes, especially formal and professional alternatives.

Can English learners use these phrases?
Yes, they improve fluency and confidence.

Is what does that mean rude?
Not rude, but it can sound blunt in formal settings.

Can I use these in writing?
Yes, choose formal alternatives for emails and documents.

Conclusion

Learning other ways to ask what does that mean helps you sound clearer, more polite, and more professional. Tone awareness is essential for effective communication.

Practice different alternatives daily and adjust them based on context. Asking better questions leads to better understanding and stronger communication.

CTA: Bookmark this list and practice one new phrase each day.