Spanish · Greetings & Essentials
"I don't understand" in Spanish: no entiendo
no entiendo
I don't understand in Spanish is no entiendo (noh en-TYEN-doh). Soften with no entiendo bien. No comprendo is fine but slightly heavier.
How to pronounce no entiendo: audio and sound guideFast directions
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How to pronounce no entiendo
Say it
noh en-TYEN-doh
/no enˈtjendo/
noh en-TYEN-doh. Stress TYEN on entiendo.
"I don't understand" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| no entiendo | I don't understand Default learner line. | Default learner line. |
| no entiendo bien | I don't understand well Softer; shows partial understanding. | Softer; shows partial understanding. |
| no comprendo | I don't understand Clear alternative; a bit more formal. | Clear alternative; a bit more formal. |
| ¿me puedes explicar? | can you explain to me? Follow-up after no entiendo. | Follow-up after no entiendo. |
How to use no entiendo in real life
- 1Fast directions
Perdón, no entiendo. ¿Más despacio?
Sorry, I don't understand. More slowly?
No entiendo plus a slow-down ask.
- 2Classroom
Profe, no entiendo la tarea.
Teacher, I don't understand the homework.
Direct no entiendo with the topic.
- 3Phone static
No entiendo. La línea está mal.
I don't understand. The line is bad.
Blame the connection after no entiendo.
Mistakes English speakers make with no entiendo
Incorrect: No entendió (when you mean I don't)
Correct: No entiendo.
Entendió is he/she understood. For I don't, say no entiendo.
Incorrect: I don't understand español.
Correct: No entiendo.
Stay in Spanish: no entiendo.
Good to know
Good to knowSaying no entiendo rarely offends. Pair no entiendo with a smile. Add más despacio or ¿puedes repetir? Locals often simplify after no entiendo.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Getting directions too fast
ChatPal
Dobla a la izquierda después del puente.
Turn left after the bridge.
You
No entiendo. ¿Puedes repetir?
I don't understand. Can you repeat?
ChatPal
Claro. Si no entiendo tu acento, también pregunto.
Sure. If I don't understand your accent, I ask too.
You
Gracias. Izquierda después del puente.
Thanks. Left after the bridge.
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 Spanish
No entiendo or no comprendo?
Both work. No entiendo is the everyday default.
Does entiendo change for gender?
No. Entiendo stays the same for everyone.
How do I soften it?
Say no entiendo bien or un momento.
Is this formal?
No entiendo is neutral. Add perdón for politeness.
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