Effective communication often requires admitting when you don’t understand something, and doing so politely is essential in Japanese culture. In this blog post, we’ll guide you on how to say “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand” in Japanese, along with related phrases to help you communicate your confusion politely and effectively.
1. わかりませんでした (Wakarimasen deshita)
- This is a straightforward way to say “I didn’t understand” in Japanese. It’s a polite way to admit your lack of comprehension. The pronunciation is “wah-kah-ree-mah-sehn desh-tah.”
2. すみません、理解できませんでした (Sumimasen, rikai dekimasen deshita)
- This phrase combines an apology with an admission of not understanding. It means “I’m sorry, I couldn’t understand.” The pronunciation is “soo-mee-mah-sehn, ree-kah-ee deh-kee-mah-sehn desh-tah.”
3. 申し訳ありません、理解できなかった (Moushiwake arimasen, rikai dekinakatta)
- Use this expression to apologize formally and express that you couldn’t understand something. It means “I have no excuse; I couldn’t understand.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh ah-ree-mah-sehn, ree-kah-ee deh-kee-nah-kah-tah.”
4. もう一度説明していただけますか？ (Mou ichido setsumei shite itadakemasu ka?)
- If you need further clarification, you can politely ask for another explanation. It means “Could you please explain it again?” The pronunciation is “moh ee-chee-doh seht-soo-meh-ee shee-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-mahs kah?”
5. 詳しく教えていただけますか？ (Kuwashiku oshiete itadakemasu ka?)
- Use this phrase to request a more detailed explanation if needed. It means “Could you please explain it in more detail?” The pronunciation is “koo-wah-shee-koo oh-shee-eh-teh ee-tah-dah-keh-mahs kah?”
6. わからないことがあります (Wakaranai koto ga arimasu)
- This expression acknowledges that there are things you don’t understand. It means “There are things I don’t understand.” The pronunciation is “wah-kah-rah-nah-ee koh-toh gah ah-ree-mahs.”
7. すみません、質問があります (Sumimasen, shitsumon ga arimasu)
- You can use this phrase when you want to ask a question because you didn’t understand something. It means “I’m sorry, I have a question.” The pronunciation is “soo-mee-mah-sehn, shee-tsoo-mohn gah ah-ree-mahs.”
8. わかりにくいです、ごめんなさい (Wakari nikui desu, gomen nasai)
- This expression conveys that something is hard to understand, and it combines an apology for not understanding. It means “It’s difficult to understand, I’m sorry.” The pronunciation is “wah-kah-ree nee-koo-ee desu, goh-men nah-sah-ee.”
9. 申し訳ございません、理解できませんでした (Moushiwake gozaimasen, rikai dekimasen deshita)
- This is a formal and apologetic way to express that you couldn’t understand something. It means “I have no excuse, I couldn’t understand.” The pronunciation is “moh-shee-wah-keh goh-za-ee-mah-sehn, ree-kah-ee deh-kee-mah-sehn desh-tah.”
10. おっしゃることが理解できませんでした (Ossharu koto ga rikai dekimasen deshita)
– Use this phrase to acknowledge that you couldn’t understand what someone was saying in a polite manner. It means “I couldn’t understand what you were saying.” The pronunciation is “oh-shah-roo koh-toh gah ree-kah-ee deh-kee-mah-sehn desh-tah.”
These phrases will help you admit your lack of understanding politely in various situations in Japanese, whether you’re in a formal or informal setting.
