How do I say 'I don’t understand' in Spanish? Discover its meaning and useful alternatives

When you start learning Spanish or visit a Spanish-speaking country, it’s normal to find yourself in situations where you don’t understand something 😬. Knowing how to express this correctly and adapt it to the context is key to effective communication. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of "I don’t understand" 😥, its common translations in Spanish, and useful alternatives classified as formal, neutral, and colloquial—with some fun, quirky expressions to make your conversations more lively! 😄

🤷‍♂️ Basic translation: No entiendo 🤷‍♀️

The most direct translation of 'I don’t understand' is 'No entiendo' , a neutral expression that can be used in almost any situation, whether formal or informal. However, in 'español', there are many other ways to express this idea depending on the level of formality or the context. 🗣️

🔍 Alternatives to 'No entiendo' (Classified by formality)

Here’s a complete list of phrases you can use to say 'I don’t understand' in Spanish, classified as formal, neutral, or colloquial, including some playful and commonly used expressions! 🎭

📚 Formal expressions 

These expressions are suitable for professional, educational, or polite situations:

1️⃣ No comprendo

Description: A more formal and serious alternative to No entiendo (I don’t understand).
Example: Disculpe, No comprendo el concepto. ¿Podría explicármelo con más detalle? ➡️ Excuse me, I don’t understand the concept. Could you explain it in more detail?

2️⃣ ¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor?

Description: A polite and practical phrase to ask someone to repeat something.
Example: Perdón, ¿Puedes repetirlo, por favor? No lo escuché bien. ➡️ Excuse me, could you repeat that? I didn’t hear it well.

🎉😄 Colloquial expressions

These phrases are more relaxed and appropriate for informal contexts, like conversations with friends or family. Here’s where the fun starts! 🚀

1️⃣No lo pillo 🧠❓

Description: Very common in Spain, especially among young people.
Example: ¡No lo pillo! ¿Qué significa esta expresión? ➡️ I don’t get it! What does this expression mean?

2️⃣ No te sigo 🏃‍♂️🛑

Description: Used when you can’t follow the pace or logic of a conversation.
Example: No te sigo. ¿Puedes explicarlo de otra forma?  ➡️ I’m not following you. Could you explain it differently?

3️⃣ Estoy perdido/a 🚨🤷

Description: Perfect for expressing that you’re completely confused.
Example: Perdona, Estoy perdida. ¿Qué estabas diciendo? ➡️ Sorry, I’m lost. What were you saying?

4️⃣ ¿Qué quieres decir? 💬

Description: Useful for clarifying meanings in a casual chat.
Example: No lo pillo. ¿Qué quieres decir con 'más vale tarde que nunca'? ➡️ I don’t get it. What do you mean by 'better late than never'?

5️⃣ Me estás hablando en chino 🈲😂

Description: A super colloquial and fun way to say "This makes no sense to me!"
Example: Me estás hablando en chino. ¿Puedes explicarlo más fácil?  ➡️ You’re speaking Chinese to me. Could you explain it more simply?

How and when to use these expressions? 🎯

Choosing the right expression depends on the context. Here are examples of real-life situations to help you decide when to use each phrase:

📚💼 In a work meeting or class (formal) 

👉 No comprendo el punto que mencionaste. ¿Podrías explicarlo más a fondo?
(I don’t understand the point you mentioned. Could you explain it in more detail?)

👉 No logro entender cómo encaja este paso en el proceso. ¿Podrías aclararlo?
(I can’t manage to understand how this step fits into the process. Could you clarify it?)

👉 No me queda claro el significado de este término. ¿Puedes darme un ejemplo?
(The meaning of this term isn’t clear to me. Could you give me an example?)

🏡😂 In a casual conversation or at home (colloquial) 

👉 No lo pillo. ¿Qué quieres decir con ‘está todo patas arriba’?
(I don’t get it. What do you mean by ‘everything’s upside down’?)

👉 No te sigo, explícalo como si tuviera cinco años.
(I’m not following you; explain it like I’m five years old.)

👉 Estoy perdida, ¿cuál es el plan ahora?
(I’m lost; what’s the plan now?)

👉 Me estás hablando en chino. Esto no tiene sentido.
(You’re speaking Chinese to me. This makes no sense.)

✈️🍴While travelling or at a restaurant (neutral) 

👉 Lo siento, No entiendo. ¿Puedes repetirlo más despacio?
(I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Could you repeat it more slowly?)

👉 ¿Puedes escribirlo? No lo entendí al escucharlo.
(Could you write it down? I didn’t understand it when I heard it.)

👉 No capto la idea. ¿Qué quieres decir exactamente?
(I’m not getting the idea. What do you mean exactly?)

📖📝 In a Spanish class or while learning the language (formal or neutral) 

👉 No entiendo del todo este ejercicio. ¿Podemos revisarlo juntos?
(I don’t completely understand this exercise. Could we review it together?)

👉 No estoy seguro de entender la diferencia entre ‘por’ y ‘para’. ¿Puedes dar más ejemplos?
(I’m not sure I understand the difference between ‘por’ and ‘para’. Could you give more examples?)

👉 ¿Puedes repetirlo otra vez? Me cuesta recordar esa palabra.
(Could you repeat that again? I’m having trouble remembering that word.)

Knowing how to say "I don’t understand" in Spanish not only helps you communicate better but also allows you to adapt to the context and sound more natural. From the formal 'No comprendo' (I don’t understand) to the fun 'Me estás hablando en chino' (You’re speaking Chinese to me!), now you have a variety of phrases to use in any situation. Start practicing them in your daily conversations and improve your fluency in Spanish!