Difference between "How do you mean?" and "What do you mean"?

[Torsten]

Hi,

How would you explain the difference between "How do you mean?" and "What do you mean"? I think when you ask "How do you mean?" you want somebody to clarify a certain point whereas "What do you mean?" is used when you don't understand what somebody is talking about. Would you agree?

Thanks,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

I agree about 'what' but 'How do you mean?' suggests to me that you are asking 'In what way?'. An example would be asking a question when someone has suggested that it would be a good idea to for example increase efficiency in a particular procedure.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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