French · Greetings & Essentials
"I don't understand" in French: je ne comprends pas
je ne comprends pas
I don't understand in French is je ne comprends pas. In fast speech you may hear je comprends pas. Soften with Désolé(e), je ne comprends pas.
In class
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How to pronounce je ne comprends pas
Say it
zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah
/ʒə nə kɔ̃.pʁɑ̃ pa/
zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah. Clear on in comprends; pas is pah.
"I don't understand" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Je ne comprends pas | I don't understand Full standard phrase. | Full standard phrase. |
| Je comprends pas | I don't understand Spoken drop of ne. | Spoken drop of ne. |
| Je ne comprends pas bien | I don't understand well Softer. | Softer. |
| Vous pouvez répéter ? | Can you repeat? Follow-up ask. | Follow-up ask. |
How to use je ne comprends pas in real life
- 1In class
Pardon, je ne comprends pas cette phrase.
Sorry, I don't understand this sentence.
Full phrase.
- 2At the prefecture
Je ne comprends pas le formulaire.
I don't understand the form.
Practical admin.
- 3Noisy café
Je ne comprends pas, tu peux parler plus fort ?
I don't understand—can you speak up?
Plus follow-up request.
Mistakes English speakers make with je ne comprends pas
Incorrect: Je ne comprendre pas.
Correct: Je ne comprends pas.
Conjugate: comprends, not infinitive comprendre.
Incorrect: Je pas comprends.
Correct: Je ne comprends pas.
Negation wraps the verb: ne…pas.
Good to know
Saying je ne comprends pas is normal and not rude. Add s'il vous plaît when asking someone to slow down. Locals often drop ne in casual speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Getting directions you didn't catch
ChatPal
Il a dit de tourner où ?
Where did he say to turn?
You
Je ne comprends pas ; il parlait trop vite.
I don't understand—he spoke too fast.
ChatPal
Ok. Dis-lui : je ne comprends pas, doucement.
Okay. Tell him: I don't understand, slowly.
You
Je ne comprends pas, vous pouvez répéter ?
I don't understand—can you repeat?
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I don't understand" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I don't understand" in French
How do you say I don't understand?
Je ne comprends pas.
Can I drop ne?
In casual speech yes: je comprends pas.
How do I ask someone to slow down?
Doucement, s'il vous plaît. after je ne comprends pas.
How do you pronounce it?
zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHN pah.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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