To say I don't understand in Korean, use 못 알아들었어요 (mot aradeureosseoyo), "I didn't catch that", when you couldn't follow what was said, and 이해가 안 돼요 (ihaega an dwaeyo) when an idea makes no sense to you. 잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo) means "I'm not sure". Then ask: 천천히 말씀해 주세요, please speak slowly.
- Didn't catch it
- 못 알아들었어요 (mot aradeureosseoyo)
- Doesn't make sense
- 이해가 안 돼요 (ihaega an dwaeyo)
- I'm not sure
- 잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo)
- Please speak slowly
- 천천히 말씀해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo)
- Got it
- 알겠어요 (algesseoyo)
- Level
- A1
Which "I don't understand" fits the moment?
English uses one phrase for missing the words and for missing the point. Korean usually separates them, and has a softer "I don't know" besides.
| Korean | Romanization | Speech level | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 못 알아들었어요 | mot aradeureosseoyo | Polite | I didn't catch what you said |
| 이해가 안 돼요 | ihaega an dwaeyo | Polite | I don't get it; it doesn't make sense to me |
| 이해 못 했어요 | ihae mot haesseoyo | Polite | I tried, but I didn't understand |
| 잘 모르겠어요 | jal moreugesseoyo | Polite, soft | I'm not sure; I don't really know |
| 몰라요 | mollayo | Polite but blunt | I don't know (can sound curt) |
| 무슨 뜻이에요? | museun tteusieyo? | Polite | What does that mean? |
| 모르겠어 | moreugesseo | Casual (반말) | I don't know, to a friend |
알아듣다 (aradeutda) means to catch or follow speech, which makes 못 알아들었어요 the most useful line for a learner. 이해 (ihae) is understanding in the fuller sense, and between friends 이해가 안 돼 often means "I can't understand why anyone would do that".
How do you ask someone to repeat or slow down?
Pair your "I don't understand" with a request. The honorific 말씀하다 (malsseumhada), to speak, keeps it respectful with strangers and anyone older.
다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Dasi malsseumhae jusigesseoyo?
Could you say that again, please?
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please speak slowly.
여기 좀 써 주시겠어요?
Yeogi jom sseo jusigesseoyo?
Could you write it down here?
Useful once you can read Hangul.
'눈치'가 무슨 뜻이에요?
'Nunchi'ga museun tteusieyo?
What does nunchi mean?
Put any word in front of 이/가 무슨 뜻이에요.
한국어를 잘 못해요.
Hangugeoreul jal motaeyo.
My Korean isn't very good.
Why do Koreans say 모르겠어요 instead of 몰라요?
Both mean "I don't know", but the -겠- in 모르겠어요 softens it into "I couldn't say" or "I'm not sure". 몰라요 is flatter, and in a curt tone it sounds like "no idea, not my problem". In this Contos story Junho's lost wallet comes back with five million won extra and an old letter inside, and his friend asks who sent it:
모르겠어. 정말...Moreugesseo. Jeongmal...
He is talking to a friend, so it is casual 모르겠어 without 요, and it sounds bewildered rather than dismissive.
What mistakes do learners make with understanding?
Mixing up "I understand" and "I know" is the big one. When someone gives you instructions, say 알겠어요 (algesseoyo) or, at work, 알겠습니다 (algetseumnida): "understood". Answering 알아요 (arayo) instead means "I know", which can sound like "I already knew that". 이해해요 (ihaehaeyo) is "I understand how you feel", an expression of sympathy.
Also watch the spacing in 잘 못해요: written as one word, 잘못해요 means "I do it wrong". If the conversation has stalled completely, try how to say "Do you speak English?" in Korean, and to get someone's attention first, see how to say excuse me in Korean.
Start The Wallet's Secret at A1: if you don't understand a word, tap it.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you say I understand in Korean?
For instructions, 알겠어요 (algesseoyo), or 알겠습니다 (algetseumnida) at work. For an explanation, 이해했어요 (ihaehaesseoyo), "I've understood". With friends, 알겠어 (algesseo) or just 응, 알았어 (eung, arasseo).
How do you pronounce moreugesseoyo?
Roughly "mo-reu-geh-ssuh-yo". The eu is a short vowel made with unrounded lips, like the u in "put" without rounding, and the ss is a tense, sharp s.
How do you say I don't speak Korean?
Say 한국어 못해요 (hangugeo motaeyo). Many learners prefer the more modest 한국어를 잘 못해요 (hangugeoreul jal motaeyo), "my Korean isn't good", which also works when you speak a little.
Is mollayo rude?
Not always, but it can be. Said flatly to a stranger it sounds offhand. 잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo) is the polite way to say you don't know.