I don't understand in Japanese is 分かりません (wakarimasen), polite enough for strangers and teachers; casually, 分からない (wakaranai). The same word also means "I don't know". To make clear the problem is the language, say 日本語がよく分かりません (nihongo ga yoku wakarimasen), "I don't understand Japanese well", or ask もう一度お願いします (mō ichido onegai shimasu), "once more, please".
- Polite
- 分かりません (wakarimasen)
- Casual
- 分からない (wakaranai)
- About the language
- 日本語がよく分かりません
- Got it
- 分かりました (wakarimashita)
- Level
- A1
Does wakarimasen mean "I don't understand" or "I don't know"?
Both. 分かる (wakaru) covers understanding, knowing an answer and being able to tell, so 分かりません can mean any of them. Japanese also has 知りません (shirimasen), "I don't know" in the sense of having no information. Said to a stranger asking the way, 知りません can sound cold; ちょっと分からないです is the gentler choice.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 分かりません | wakarimasen | I don't understand / I can't tell | The polite default |
| 分からない | wakaranai | Same, casual | Friends and family |
| よく分かりません | yoku wakarimasen | I don't really understand | Softer; also "I'm not sure" |
| ちょっと分からないです | chotto wakaranai desu | I'm not sure, sorry | A stranger asks you something |
| 知りません | shirimasen | I don't know (that) | You have no information; can sound curt |
| 分かりました | wakarimashita | Understood, got it | Confirming instructions |
The thing you don't understand takes が, not を: 日本語が分かりません. This is one of the most common learner errors.
How does wakaranai sound in a real conversation?
「分からない」 と 健一 は 言った。"Wakaranai" to Ken'ichi wa itta.
In the past tense, 分からなかった (wakaranakatta) and 分かりませんでした (wakarimasen deshita) mean "I didn't understand" or "I couldn't tell", for example about a film or an announcement.
What can you say when Japanese goes over your head?
Lead with すみません so the other person knows a request is coming, then say what would help: slower speech, a repeat, writing it down or a translation.
すみません、日本語がよく分かりません。
Sumimasen, nihongo ga yoku wakarimasen.
Sorry, I don't understand Japanese very well.
もう一度お願いします。
Mō ichido onegai shimasu.
Once more, please.
ゆっくり話していただけますか。
Yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka.
Could you speak slowly, please?
「お会計」はどういう意味ですか。
"Okaikei" wa dō iu imi desu ka.
What does "okaikei" mean?
Put the word you heard in quotation marks, or just say it.
書いてもらえますか。
Kaite moraemasu ka.
Could you write it down?
If you would rather switch languages, see how to ask "Do you speak English?" in Japanese.
How do you say "I understand" in Japanese?
Use the past tense: 分かりました (wakarimashita), "I've understood". It is the normal reply to instructions. At work and in shops you will hear stiffer versions.
はい、分かりました。
Hai, wakarimashita.
Yes, got it.
承知しました。
Shōchi shimashita.
Certainly, understood.
Polite, at work.
かしこまりました。
Kashikomarimashita.
Certainly.
What staff say to customers after an order or request.
なるほど。
Naruhodo.
I see.
Friendly, but repeated to a boss it can sound like you are judging their point.
うん、分かる。
Un, wakaru.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Casual sympathy.
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How do you pronounce wakarimasen?
"Wah-kah-ree-mah-sen", with even beats. The r is a light tap, close to the d in "ladder".
Is wakarimasen rude?
No, it is polite. A bare 分かりません can feel abrupt, though, so add すみません in front, or soften it to ちょっと分からないです.
How do you say "I don't speak Japanese"?
日本語が話せません (nihongo ga hanasemasen), "I can't speak Japanese". To be accurate as a learner, 日本語は少しだけ話せます (nihongo wa sukoshi dake hanasemasu), "I speak a little".
Why is it nihongo ga, not nihongo o?
分かる describes a state, not an action you do to something, so the thing understood is marked with が. The same goes for できる (can do) and 好き (like).
How is wakaru written?
Usually 分かる or all in hiragana, わかる. You may also see 解る or 判る, which are older or more specialised spellings.