How to Say ‘I Don’t Understand’ in Chinese

Two phrases that keep a conversation going when Mandarin comes too fast.

Quick answer

Say 我听不懂 when you do not understand, then ask 你可以再说一遍吗？for a repeat.

wǒ tīng bù dǒng.

我听不懂。

I don’t understand.

nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?

你可以再说一遍吗？

Can you say it again?

Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.

When to use it

Use 我听不懂 the moment you lose the meaning. Most people will slow down and repeat if you ask.

听不懂 is about listening. If you cannot understand something written, use 看不懂 instead.

Read each conversation from top to bottom.

duìbuqǐ, wǒ tīng bù dǒng. nǐ kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma? 对不起，我听不懂。你可以再说一遍吗？ Sorry, I don’t understand. Can you say it again?

hǎo de, méi wèntí. 好的，没问题。 Sure, no problem.

xièxie! 谢谢！ Thank you!

You’ve got this!

Do not wait until you are completely lost. Saying 我听不懂 early keeps the conversation friendly and gives you a second chance at the meaning.