馃嚛馃嚜 German phrases

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

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Ich verstehe nicht
"I don't understand" in German 路 say it like ikh fer-shtay-eh nikht

The most natural way to say "I don't understand" in German is Ich verstehe nicht. 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

Ich kapier's nicht
This is a more casual way to express confusion.
Ich begreife nicht
This is a more formal variant.

When to use it

Use this phrase when someone is explaining something and you cannot follow. It is appropriate in both casual and formal settings. You can also use it when asking for clarification in conversations.

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 German

GermanEnglish
K枚nnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? Ich verstehe nicht.Could you please repeat that? I don't understand.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'verstehen' with 'verstehen' in different contexts, so be mindful of the situation.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Ich verstehe nicht, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking German 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 'K枚nnten Sie das bitte wiederholen?' which means 'Could you please repeat that?'

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