what do you mean
I don't understand
What do you mean is a request for clarification when something is unclear or surprising.
It asks the speaker to explain or elaborate: What do you mean you're leaving?
The phrase can express confusion, disbelief, or challenge depending on tone.
Often shortened to what do you mean? or simply what?
- questionRequest for information
- definitionStatement of meaning
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
- significanceQuality of mattering
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
inquiry · concern · explanation · doubt · curiosity · come again · I beg your pardon · misunderstanding · lost in translation · mixed signals · puzzlement · huh · speak up · inference · interrogative · clarification · frustration · implication
- clarification requestspardon, excuse me, say again, come again, repeat that
- explanationswhy, how come, explication, definition, description
- evasionsno comment, dodge, deflection, hedging, equivocation
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- misunderstandingsmisunderstanding, misinterpretation, misconception, misreading, miscommunication
- listener responsesmm-hmm, uh-huh, yeah, yes, right
what do you meanI understand
Grasping what's meant
I get it · understood · crystal clear · got it · I see
what do you meanI agree
Expression of assent
exactly · absolutely · yes · precisely · that's right
what, mean, whatsoever, whatever, undone, yourself, meant, meaning, meaningful