How to Say ‘I don't understand’ in French
Je ne comprends pas
zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHND pah
[zhuh nuh kohm-PRAHND pah]
💬 Usage Tip: In everyday French, the negative often sounds like just [je comprends pas], with [ne] dropped in speech. Keep [ne] in careful textbook French, but do not be surprised when locals leave it out.
Phrase Breakdown
Je
[zhuh]
I
Subject pronoun meaning “I.”
Quand quelqu'un parle trop vite, je dis « Je ne comprends pas ».
When someone speaks too quickly, I say “I don’t understand.”
ne
[nuh]
not
The first part of standard French negation; often paired with “pas.”
Quand quelqu'un parle trop vite, je dis « Je ne comprends pas ».
When someone speaks too quickly, I say “I don’t understand.”
comprends
[kohm-PRAHND]
understand
From the verb “comprendre,” meaning “to understand.”
Quand quelqu'un parle trop vite, je dis « Je ne comprends pas ».
When someone speaks too quickly, I say “I don’t understand.”
pas
[pah]
not
The second part of negation in French; with “ne,” it makes the sentence negative.
Quand quelqu'un parle trop vite, je dis « Je ne comprends pas ».
When someone speaks too quickly, I say “I don’t understand.”
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