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How to Say "I don't understand" in Dutch

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Ik begrijp het niet
"I don't understand" in Dutch 路 say it like ik buh-grijp ut neet

The most natural way to say "I don't understand" in Dutch is Ik begrijp het niet. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Ik snap het niet
More casual and commonly used in everyday conversation
Ik begrijp het niet helemaal
Used when you partially understand but need clarification

When to use it

Use this phrase when someone is explaining something and you are confused. It is polite to express that you do not understand. You can also use it in a classroom setting or during a conversation with friends.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I don't understand" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Dutch

DutchEnglish
Kun je dat nog eens uitleggen? Ik begrijp het niet.Can you explain that again? I do not understand.
Common mistake
A common mistake is to say 'Ik begrijp niet' without 'het', which sounds incomplete.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Ik begrijp het niet, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Dutch with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

How can I ask someone to explain something again?

You can say 'Kun je dat nog eens uitleggen?' which means 'Can you explain that again?'

Learn Dutch by speaking it

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