You have finally joined an online conversation. Someone smiles, talks for ten seconds, and you hear absolutely nothing. Then everybody starts pointing at the little microphone symbol. The awkward part is not the technology—it is deciding what to say next. Here are calm, natural phrases for a common online situation.
The Big Idea
Check whether the problem affects only you, describe what you can actually hear, ask to try one simple change, and confirm whether it worked. You can do all of that in plain English without blaming the other person or pretending you are a technical expert.
10 Useful English Phrases
| English | Spanish · Español |
|---|---|
| Can you hear me? | ¿Me oyes? |
| I can see you, but I can’t hear you. | Te veo, pero no te oigo. |
| I think my microphone is muted. | Creo que tengo el micrófono silenciado. |
| Your voice is breaking up. | Tu voz se entrecorta. |
| There’s a bit of an echo. | Hay un poco de eco. |
| Could you say that again? | ¿Podrías repetirlo? |
| I’m going to check my audio settings. | Voy a revisar la configuración de audio. |
| Could we try turning our cameras off for a moment? | ¿Probamos a apagar las cámaras un momento? |
| Would you mind typing that in the chat? | ¿Podrías escribirlo en el chat? |
| Is the sound better now? | ¿Se oye mejor ahora? |
Real Conversation — Try It Out
MAYA: “Hi! Can you hear me?”
ALEX: “I can see you, but I can’t hear you.”
MAYA: “Oh! I think my microphone is muted. One moment.”
ALEX: “No problem. Take your time.”
MAYA: “How about now? Is the sound better?”
ALEX: “Yes, much better. I can hear you clearly.”
MAYA: “Great. If my voice breaks up again, please tell me.”
ALEX: “Will do. Let’s start.”
Problem → Need → Request
Problem: The video is working, but I cannot hear the other person.
Need: I need to understand them before we continue.
Request: Could you check your microphone or type the last sentence in the chat?
Before You Go
- Know where the microphone and speaker controls are.
- Have the meeting chat open as a backup.
- Find a quieter place when possible.
- Remember that people may be using different apps and devices.
- Prepare one clear question to confirm that the fix worked.
Your Three-Round Speaking Mission
- Ask a partner, “Can you hear me?” and give a clear yes/no reply.
- Explain two different sound problems using “I can…” and “I can’t…”.
- Suggest one simple test, then confirm: “Is the sound better now?”
Surprise Round
Everyone can hear you, but you cannot hear anyone. Explain which direction is broken and ask for a chat message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “Can you hear me?” mean “Can you understand my English?”
Usually, on a video call, it checks audio. To check understanding, ask “Was that clear?” or “Does that make sense?”
What does “breaking up” mean?
It means pieces of the audio are interrupted or lost. It does not necessarily mean the call will end.
Should I keep repeating the same sentence?
Not always. Try a short written message or a different communication channel if speech stays unclear.
