🇰🇷 Korean phrases

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

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
이해하지 못해요
"I don't understand" in Korean · say it like ee-hae-ha-ji mot-hae-yo

The most natural way to say "I don't understand" in Korean is 이해하지 못해요. 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

이해가 안 돼요
common in casual conversations
잘 모르겠어요
used when you are unsure about something

When to use it

Use this phrase when someone is explaining something and you cannot grasp the concept. It is polite and appropriate for most situations. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts, depending on your tone.

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 Korean

KoreanEnglish
그 설명은 이해하지 못해요.I don't understand that explanation.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this phrase with '모르겠어요', which means 'I don't know'.

The fastest way to remember it

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal setting?

Yes, it is polite and can be used in formal situations.

Learn Korean by speaking it

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