Meaning
La expresión en inglés «Do you mean» se utiliza para confirmar o aclarar lo que alguien ha dicho. Se traduce al español como «¿Quieres decir?» o «¿Te refieres a...?». Este tipo de pregunta es útil cuando no estamos seguros de haber entendido correctamente lo que la otra persona ha expresado o cuando queremos verificar si nuestra interpretación es correcta.
Uso de «Do you mean»:
- Clarificación: Cuando alguien dice algo que podría tener varios significados, puedes usar «Do you mean» para pedir una aclaración. Por ejemplo: «Do you mean the meeting is cancelled?» («¿Quieres decir que la reunión está cancelada?»).
- Confirmación: Para confirmar lo que alguien ha dicho antes de proceder. Por ejemplo: «Do you mean I should call him now?» («¿Te refieres a que debería llamarlo ahora?»).
- Evitar malentendidos: Usar esta expresión ayuda a evitar malentendidos en una conversación, asegurando que ambas partes estén en la misma página.
Recuerda que «Do you mean» es una herramienta efectiva para mejorar la comunicación y asegurar que la información se transmita claramente.
Today's Sentences
- Do you mean you’re going to be late?
- Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
- Do you mean you’re not getting married?
- Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
- Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
- Writer's Note
01
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Situation 1
I think I have to work overtime.
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Yes, I’ll be home around 10.
Okay, I’ll let the guests know that you won’t be here for dinner.
Situation 2
I forgot to tell you that I have to pull an all-nighter for the paper.
Do you mean you’re going to be late?
Yes, I forgot I had a paper due tomorrow.
Okay.
Make sure you eat healthy and try to take short breaks in between!
Asegúrate de comer saludable y trata de tomar descansos cortos entre las actividades.
02
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
Situation 1
Surprise!
What are all these boxes here for?
They’re gifts for you!
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
Situation 2
Happy Birthday!
Wow!
Looks like everyone I know is here!
¡Parece que todos los que conozco están aquí!
And these are for you!
Do you mean that these gifts are for me?
03
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
Situation 1
Why are you crying?
He left me.
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
Yes, I’m not getting married anymore.
What will I tell all these guests?
¿Qué les diré a todos estos invitados?
Situation 2
Is everything ok?
You were crying so much on the phone.
Llorabas mucho por teléfono.
We broke up.
Do you mean you’re not getting married?
I’m afraid the wedding is off.
04
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
Situation 1
How are you and your boyfriend doing?
Good.
Except that he left to go to attend the University of Melbourne.
Excepto que se fue para asistir a la "University of Melbourne".
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
Yes, he left yesterday.
Situation 2
He just got a new job in Canberra.
Do you mean that he moved to Australia?
He hasn’t moved yet but yes, he’s going to Australia.
When does he leave?
05
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Situation 1
You’d better pack your bags and come to the hospital.
Your wife just started labour.
Tu esposa acaba de comenzar el trabajo de parto.
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Very much so.
She’s dilated 4cm already.
Ya está dilatada 4 cm.
I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Situation 2
I think you should come down to the hospital whenever you can.
Do you mean she’s about to have her baby?
Yes, your wife’s in labour.
Okay, thank you for calling. I’ll be there ASAP.
Writer's Note
We usually use "Do you mean" when we haven't understood or need clarification of what was said. Remember that body language and tone of voice play a big part in how your question is delivered.
For example, if you ask "Do you mean" with a negative facial expression while shrugging your shoulders, you don't relay a positive attitude. The receiver may feel that you aren't respectful of them.
Looking at the Speakers in the pictures above, what facial expression and body language would you prefer to be asked 'Do you mean you're going to be late?'. Given that both Speakers ask the same question, I would guess that the receiver would rather communicate with Speaker A. How about you? What situations have you been through where you were spoken to with no respect or no consideration?
