Simplified Chinese - Clarification

我不明白

Wǒ bù míngbai.

I don't understand.

Meaning: I don't understand.

When to use: Use this neutral phrase when you genuinely don’t understand what someone said.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 我不懂 or 我听不懂 — both are okay; 我不懂 is slightly simpler.

你能再说一遍吗？

Nǐ néng zài shuō yí biàn ma?

Can you repeat that?

Meaning: Can you repeat that?

When to use: Ask this when you missed or didn't catch what someone just said; add 请 for extra politeness.

你能说慢一点吗？

Nǐ néng shuō màn yìdiǎn ma?

Can you speak more slowly?

Meaning: Can you speak more slowly?

When to use: Use this to ask someone to slow their speaking pace so you can understand better.

___是什么意思？

___ shì shénme yìsi?

What does ___ mean?

Meaning: What does ___ mean?

When to use: Put the unknown word or phrase before 是什么意思 to ask for its meaning.

___用英语怎么说？

___ yòng Yīngyǔ zěnme shuō?

How do you say ___ in English?

Meaning: How do you say ___ in English?

When to use: Use this to ask for the English equivalent of a Chinese word or phrase.

你能写下来吗

Nǐ néng xiě xiàlai ma?

Can you write it down?

Meaning: Can you write it down?

When to use: Ask someone to write a word, address, or phone number so you can read it.

是___还是___？

Shì ___ háishi ___?

Is it ___ or ___?

Meaning: Is it ___ or ___?

When to use: Use this structure to check between two possible words or answers.

你是说___吗？

Nǐ shì shuō ___ ma?

Do you mean ___?

Meaning: Do you mean ___?

When to use: Use this to check your understanding of a word or phrase the other person used.

请用简单一点的词。

Qǐng yòng jiǎndān yìdiǎn de cí.

Please use simple words.

Meaning: Please use simple words.

When to use: A polite request asking someone to use easier vocabulary or simpler phrasing.

我只懂一点儿

Wǒ zhǐ dǒng yìdiǎnr.

I only understand a little.

Meaning: I only understand a little.

When to use: Use this to tell someone your comprehension is limited — helpful before asking them to slow down.

我不认识那个词。

Wǒ bú rènshi nà ge cí.

I don't know that word.

Meaning: I don't know that word.

When to use: Say this when a specific word or character is unfamiliar to you.

你能解释一下___吗？

Nǐ néng jiěshì yíxià ___ ma?

Can you explain ___?

Meaning: Can you explain ___?

When to use: Use this to ask for a short explanation of a word, idea, or sentence.

Tip: Don't forget the 一下 (yíxià) — it makes the request softer and more natural.

那个词你能拼一下吗？

Nà ge cí nǐ néng pīn yíxià ma?

Can you spell that?

Meaning: Can you spell that?

When to use: Ask this when you need the spelling of an English word or foreign name, or to confirm letters.