Getting by
How to say “I don't understand” in Chinese
“我不明白” (wǒ bù míngbai) is the general way to say I don't understand. If you could not catch what was said, use “我听不懂” (wǒ tīng bu dǒng, I can't understand by listening). Ask the person to say it again slowly.
In Chinese
我不明白
wǒ bù míngbai
I don't understand
Other ways to say “I don't understand”
-
我听不懂
wǒ tīng bu dǒng
I can't understand (what I hear)
When someone speaks too fast or in a way you cannot follow.
-
我看不懂
wǒ kàn bu dǒng
I can't understand (what I read)
For a text or sign.
-
请再说一遍
qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
Please say it again
Polite and useful.
-
请说慢一点
qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn
Please speak more slowly
Ask for a slower pace.
Example sentences
-
对不起，我不明白。
duìbuqǐ, wǒ bù míngbai.
Sorry, I don't understand.
-
你说得太快了，我听不懂。请说慢一点。
nǐ shuō de tài kuài le, wǒ tīng bu dǒng. qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.
You speak too fast, I can't understand. Please speak more slowly.
-
这个字我看不懂。
zhège zì wǒ kàn bu dǒng.
I can't understand this character.
Good to know
- The pattern “verb + 不 + 懂” (tīng bu dǒng, kàn bu dǒng) means you cannot understand through that sense.
- “明白” means to understand an idea; “懂” (dǒng) is also very common: 我不懂 (I don't get it).
Questions about “I don't understand” in Chinese
How do you say “I don't understand” in Chinese?
“I don't understand” in Chinese is “我不明白” (I don't understand). It is written in pinyin as wǒ bù míngbai. You can also say “我听不懂”, “我看不懂”, “请再说一遍”.
How do you pronounce “我不明白” in Chinese?
“我不明白” is pronounced wǒ bù míngbai. Tap the speaker on this page to hear it.
What are other ways to say “I don't understand” in Chinese?
“我听不懂” (I can't understand (what I hear)): when someone speaks too fast or in a way you cannot follow. “我看不懂” (I can't understand (what I read)): for a text or sign. “请再说一遍” (Please say it again): polite and useful. “请说慢一点” (Please speak more slowly): ask for a slower pace.
Practise it, don't just read it.
Play short games with real Chinese sentences and audio, free on the web and in the Pinglingo app.