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Travel · Chinese

How to say “i don't understand” in Chinese

Practice this phrase

i don't understand

Chinese · 中文

safe

Translation

我听不懂

Romanization

Wo ting bu dong

Pronunciation

woh ting boo dong

When to use it

Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In Chinese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.

Example

我听不懂 — a practical sentence to use when asking for help for "i don't understand".

Same situation

Use these with i don't understand in Chinese

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Same phrase in other languages

FAQ

Common questions

How do you say "i don't understand" in Chinese?+

You say "我听不懂" in Chinese. The romanized form is "Wo ting bu dong", and a simple pronunciation cue is "woh ting boo dong".

Is this phrase formal or casual?+

This entry is marked as safe. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.

How do you pronounce it?+

Use "woh ting boo dong" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "Wo ting bu dong".

When should I use it?+

Use this with staff, locals, drivers, or passersby while traveling. A polite tone is usually the safest choice. In Chinese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.