How To Say Sorry I Don't Understand In Spanish

As you've probably noticed, learning a language isn't easy, even when information technology'south a lovely well-structured, Latin-based language like Spanish.

Nosotros've all experienced that moment when somebody is talking to united states just we take no clue what they're saying.

Y'all know you'd be fine if you could just ask them to repeat their words. Or maybe ask them to speak a petty slower.  Read on and find out how to exercise both.

This article is part of Hablarama's series of classes aimed at everyone who is just starting to learn Spanish.  Written past our bilingual instructor, Aurora Ielpi, the course looks at the blazon of practical Spanish you'll use in real life situations in both Spain and Latin America.

I'1000 sorry, what?

There is one simple give-and-take y'all can use whenever you need someone to repeat what they've just said. That word is ¿Cómo?

This is typically used the kickoff time someone says something and y'all didn't understand. Information technology's the phrase Castilian speakers apply if somebody speaks to them when they are distracted or tin can't hear them well.

Check out  0:57 of the following video:

Sorry, tin you lot repeat that?

If you need to hear the words repeated once again, effort using

• Perdona, ¿me lo puedes repetir?

Hither'due south another example from YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/sentry?v=7rdL0WFkq5k

The person you lot're talking to will repeat what they've said and, hopefully, this fourth dimension it'll be easier for you lot to understand them.

Since communication can be tricky no matter what language you're using, you can also say

• Perdona, no entiendo.

This translates as "Sorry, I don't empathise."

Some people may use No te entiendo (In Latin America: No le entiendo). Past using this phrase, you're pointing that there might be a trouble with the way the other person is communicating (volume, pronunciation, etc.). This could lead to a repetition of what has just been said, plus an explanation or justification into the bargain.

Hopefully, you'll be able to continue the conversation without whatever misunderstandings. And no affair what the event, it will always be a good opportunity to enhance your listening skills!

https://twitter.com/cristy8712/status/924578389150912512

I don't really speak Spanish. Tin can we speak in Spanish, delight?

It may sound similar a paradox, but it isn't! A mutual problem linguistic communication learners have is that, when trying to do their newly-caused language skills, they are boycotted by native speakers. Native speakers also want to exercise their language skills, and the chat might end up beingness in your own mother tongue. It is vital to nip this in the bud! Just how?

Say:

• ¿Puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?

You're respectfully asking the other person to speak more than slowly and you're showing your intention to keep the chat in Spanish. Don't fall into the trap of switching languages! The only way to do conversation is by speaking, so persevere and you lot'll get in that location sooner or afterward.

puedes hablar más despacio no te entiendo https://t.co/XuHj7Pec6i

— mon (@fkeyout_) January 18, 2017

¿Tú o usted?

In that location are two ways of addressing people when you are talking directly to them. Ane, more formal and polite, commonly shows respect towards the other person's age, seniority or dominance. The second fashion is mutual between friends, family and people your ain age.

Usted is the more formal and tú shows familiarity and proximity. Exercise yous know when to use each? In some situations, it can be a bit confusing. How do you address a dr. who is your own age? And a taxi driver? And your portero?

A skillful rule of thumb is:

• Donde fuere, haz lo que vieres.
  (When in Rome, do equally the Romans do.)

In other words, if you're existence addressed equally usted, apply usted. If, on the reverse, yous're being addressed as tú, opt for tú. Every culture has its own way of interpreting formality and respect, and a polite intonation is just as important as the correct verb form.  So, if yous experience uncertain about which of the 2 to use, as long as you're being respectful expressing yourself, yous'll be just fine.

We embrace the upshot of 'tú' and 'usted' in more detail in our form on basic Spanish questions.

Communicating improve

Communication problems are part of learning a linguistic communication. Knowing the phrases in this lesson volition help you overcome those problems, and, near importantly, you'll enjoy the conversation as well.

This Bones Castilian Course

Don't forget to cheque out the rest of the classes in this gratuitous Basic Spanish grade.  There are classes on introducing yourself, giving personal data, and the top 30 essential Spanish verbs. And nosotros're continually calculation more than free lessons!

Interviews with native-Spanish speakers

Want to see how native-speakers communicate?  The Hablarama squad take been out on the streets of Pontevedra and Vigo in northern Spain, interviewing young Spaniards virtually a whole host of interesting subjects. Cheque out the videos here: Real Spanish.

Source: https://hablarama.com/i-dont-understand/

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