Vietnamese phrase guide
How to say I do not understand in Vietnamese
Tôi không hiểu means "I do not understand" in Vietnamese. Hear pronunciation, learn polite variants, examples, and common mistakes.
Quick answer
In one sentence
To say "I do not understand" in Vietnamese, say "Tôi không hiểu". It is neutral and learner-safe, and the variants below show how to use it naturally.
- Easy pronunciation: toy khong hyew
- Best use: Use this when someone speaks too fast or explains something you cannot follow.
Phrase choice
I do not understand in Vietnamese: repair the conversation
Tôi không hiểu is clear, but pairing it with repeat or slow-down requests keeps the conversation moving.
| Situation | Say this | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Direct statement | Tôi không hiểu | The safest core phrase for beginners. |
| Softer not-yet version | Tôi chưa hiểu | Means I do not understand yet and can sound less final. |
| Need help next | Nói lại giúp tôi được không? | Asks the listener to repeat instead of stopping the exchange. |
Listen and save
Tôi không hiểu
I do not understand
Literal meaning: I not understand
Easy pronunciation: toy khong hyew
Use this when someone speaks too fast or explains something you cannot follow.
Pronunciation breakdown
Vietnamese spelling
Tôi→tờ ôi tôi
không→khờ ông không
hiểu→hờ iêu hiêu hỏi hiểu
Useful variants
Tôi chưa hiểu
I do not understand yet
Softer than không hiểu.
Tôi không hiểu tiếng Việt nhiều
I do not understand much Vietnamese
Useful for beginners.
Nói lại giúp tôi được không?
Can you repeat that for me?
Follow-up request.
Example sentences
Xin lỗi, tôi không hiểu.
Sorry, I do not understand.
Tôi chưa hiểu câu này.
I do not understand this sentence yet.
Common mistakes
- Chưa hiểu sounds softer because it means not yet understand.
- Không hiểu is direct but normal in learning situations.
FAQ
Should I use không or chưa?
Use chưa when you want to imply you may understand later. Use không for a simple negative.
Related phrase guides
Practice nearby phrases
Keep learning
Practice this phrase in context
Open the related SpeakFlora page for more phrases, audio, and real-life examples.