馃嚠馃嚬 Italian phrases

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

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Non capisco
"I don't understand" in Italian 路 say it like non kah-pee-skoh

The most natural way to say "I don't understand" in Italian is Non capisco. 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

Non ho capito
Used when referring to a specific point or explanation.
Non comprendo
More formal and less common in casual conversation.

When to use it

You can use 'Non capisco' when someone is explaining something and you are confused. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. If you want to express that you didn't understand something specific, you can say 'Non ho capito'.

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 Italian

ItalianEnglish
Non capisco quello che dici.I don't understand what you are saying.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'capisco' with 'capito'; remember that 'capisco' is present tense, while 'capito' is past tense.

The fastest way to remember it

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

Frequently asked questions

How do I say 'I didn't understand' in Italian?

'Non ho capito' is the correct way to say 'I didn't understand.'

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