The Best Ways on How to Say I Don’t Understand in French

Modified on February 11, 2026 Arti Goyal

Ever had that “Wait, what?” moment in French? Most learners stick to “Je ne comprends pas”, but there’s a whole arsenal of fun, useful ways to show confusion! From polite “Je n’ai pas saisi” to casual “Je suis largué(e)”, knowing these phrases makes your conversations flow effortlessly. In this blog, we’ll present you with easy examples for beginners and intermediate learners alike – ready to try, repeat, and master. Practice out loud, mix them into chats, and watch your confidence soar. Ready to turn those puzzled looks into smooth French responses? Allez-y, on y va!

How to Say “I Don’t Understand” in French?

Imagine you’re in a French classroom, and the teacher is explaining a tricky grammar point. You nod along, but halfway through, your brain goes “Wait… what just happened?”

When you don’t understand something in French, there are both rudimentary and polite ways to say it. The simplest phrase is “Je ne comprends pas”, which works in most situations. However, if you want to sound slightly more polite or formal, you can use “Je ne saisis pas bien” or “Je n’ai pas saisi”, which show careful attention and respect. “Désolé(e), je ne comprends pas” adds an apology, making it friendly and courteous, especially in professional or classroom settings. “Je suis perdu(e)” literally means “I’m lost” and can be used informally when confused. “Ça ne me dit rien” is casual and suggests that something doesn’t make sense or ring a bell.

Here are some other variations:

“Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” (Can you repeat, please?)Polite request to repeat.
“Je n’ai pas compris la question.” (I didn’t understand the question.)Formal, for specific situations.
“Excusez-moi, je ne saisis pas le sens.” (Excuse me, I don’t grasp the meaning.)Formal and polite.
“Je n’arrive pas à suivre.” (I can’t keep up.)Informal, when the conversation moves too fast.

With these phrases, even tricky lessons or fast chats become easier to navigate!

How to Say “I Don’t Know” in French?

Have you ever been in a French class or chatting with a friend and realized mid-conversation that you have absolutely no idea what they just said? That moment of blank confusion is very common, and in French, people often use “I don’t know” (Je ne sais pas) when they actually mean “I don’t understand.” (Je ne comprends pas). It’s a simple way to show uncertainty or confusion, especially in casual conversations. Depending on the situation, there are several ways to express this, ranging from formal to informal and even colloquial. Let’s have a look:

In formal situations, it’s polite to use full expressions that show respect.

For example, “Je n’en ai aucune idée” (I have no idea) is clear and courteous, while “Je n’ai pas la moindre idée” (I don’t have the slightest idea) is very formal and emphasizes a complete lack of knowledge.

These are ideal when speaking with teachers, colleagues, or anyone in a professional or respectful setting.

For informal conversations with friends or peers, shorter, more relaxed phrases work well. “Je sais pas trop” (I’m not really sure) is casual and commonly used, “Pas sûr(e)” (Not sure) is a brief way to show uncertainty, and “Je ne sais vraiment pas” (I really don’t know) is slightly stronger, conveying honest confusion without sounding rude.

There are also colloquial or funny alternatives for very casual contexts.

For example:

“Aucune idée” is like saying “no clue”
“Je suis largué(e)” means “I’m totally lost”
“Aucune notion” conveys having no idea at all
“Je sèche” is slang for “I’m stumped”

Using these variations helps learners sound natural while expressing confusion in French conversations. Mastering these phrases will make your French sound natural, witty, and ready for real-life conversations!

Confused between bon and bien? This guide clearly explains their usage with examples to help you speak French more accurately.

How to Ask Someone to Repeat Themself in French?

Picture yourself at a French bakery, excitedly trying to order a croissant, but the cashier speaks too quickly and you miss half of what they said. You smile and politely ask them to repeat themselves.

When you don’t understand something in French, asking someone to repeat it politely is crucial, both in formal and casual situations.

In formal contexts, it’s best to use full polite phrases with “vous”.

For example:

“Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” (Can you repeat, please?)
“Je n’ai pas bien entendu, pouvez-vous répéter ?” (I didn’t hear well, can you repeat?)
“Excusez-moi, répétez doucement.” (Excuse me, please repeat slowly.)

These show respect and attentiveness, which is highly appreciated in French culture, especially with teachers, colleagues, or elders.

In casual conversations with friends or peers, you can use “tu” forms, which are shorter and more relaxed, like:

“Tu peux répéter ?” (Can you repeat?)
“Encore une fois, s’il te plaît” (One more time, please)
“Peux-tu redire ça ?” (Can you say that again?)

Slang or very casual versions like “Quoi ?” (What) or “Hein ?” (Eh) are sometimes used, but only with close friends to avoid sounding rude!

Cultural Note: Always keep your tone friendly and patient. Smiling while asking for repetition makes the request feel natural. Avoid interrupting or sounding frustrated, as politeness is key in French conversations.

Mastering these polite ways to ask for repetition will keep your French conversations smooth, confident, and culturally on point.

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How to Say That You Didn’t Hear Something Well in French?

Imagine sitting in a bustling French café, trying to catch every word of your friend’s story, but the chatter around you makes it hard to hear. You laugh awkwardly and ask them to repeat themselves. Sometimes in conversations, you might have trouble hearing what someone said. In French, it’s important to indicate this politely so you don’t come across as rude or inattentive.

For formal or polite situations, such as in classrooms, meetings, or when speaking with elders, full phrases work best.

For example:

Je n’ai pas bien entendu” (I didn’t hear very well.)
“Pardon, je n’ai pas entendu” (Sorry, I didn’t hear.)
“Excusez-moi, je n’ai pas saisi” (Excuse me, I didn’t catch that)
“Désolé(e), le son était faible” (Sorry, the sound was low.)

These expressions are respectful and show that you’re attentive but need clarification. You can also say “Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ?” (Can you repeat, please?) to politely ask for repetition.

In casual situations with friends or peers, shorter, more relaxed phrases are common. Simple words like “Quoi ?” (What) or “Comment ?” (How) are informal ways to ask someone to repeat themselves. You can also say “Hein ?” (Eh) or “Pardon ?” (Sorry?) in a friendly, conversational tone.

Apart from these, you can also make use of “Je n’ai pas entendu ça” (I didn’t hear that), “Tu peux répéter ?” (Can you please repeat?), “Redites, s’il te plaît” (Say it again, please), or “Je n’ai pas saisi ce que tu as dit” (I didn’t catch what you said).

Remember to always smile or use a gentle tone when indicating hearing issues. Politeness in French culture is appreciated, and using the right expressions helps you sound considerate while clarifying what you missed!

Adding these phrases to indicate that you didn’t hear someone clearly can help you a lot in your life, be it in classrooms or on those weekend outings with your friends!!

Wondering how to say ‘please’ in French? This helpful guide explains polite expressions, real examples, and when to use each naturally in daily French conversations.

End Summary

Knowing different ways to express confusion in French is essential for sounding natural and confident in daily life conversations. While simple phrases like ‘Je ne comprends pas’ are widely understood and do work, using polite, informal, or colloquial alternatives help you adapt to different situations – whether in classrooms, meetings, or casual chats with friends.

Practicing these expressions in real-life conversations, such as through interactive lessons at La Forêt French Class, will allow you to clarify misunderstandings smoothly and respond appropriately. The more you use them, the more fluent and comfortable you’ll become in expressing uncertainty in French!

Did You Know?

Je n’ai pas la moindre idée literally means “I don’t have the slightest idea,” but using it can make you sound impressively formal in meetings.
Ça ne me dit rien translates to “That doesn’t tell me anything,” and French speakers use it when something sounds unfamiliar, not just confusing.
Je capte pas is slang from French youth culture, meaning “I don’t get it,” and is widely used in texting and chats.

Discover different ways to say “yes” in French, from simple oui to casual expressions, explained with clear and easy everyday examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between “Je ne comprends pas” and “Je ne saisis pas”?

Ans: Je ne comprends pas is the general way to say “I don’t understand.” However, Je ne saisis pas is slightly more formal and can imply you’re missing a subtle point.

Q2. What can I say if I am completely lost in a discussion?

Ans: You can use “Je suis perdu(e)” (I’m lost) or “Je ne comprends plus rien” (I don’t understand anything anymore) for a funny but clear way to show confusion.