I beg your pardon?
Formal Depends on context
What it really means
Three meanings depending on tone: a polite "please repeat that", an old-fashioned apology, or — said sharply — real offence, meaning "how dare you say that". The sharp version is a warning to back down.
Chinese explanation
语气不同意思不同：客气的"请再说一遍"、老派的道歉，或语气尖锐时的真动怒——"你怎么敢这么说"。听到尖锐版就该赶紧收敛了。
Example conversation
A: Your generation just doesn't work hard.
B: I beg your pardon?
A: I mean — er — nothing.
A：你们这代人就是不肯吃苦。
B：您说什么？
A：我是说——呃——没什么。
All Politeness Decoder
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake