Word for not understanding someone

Learning a new language can be a tricky business; but you want to get it right. Right?

When you are learning English, a lot of effort is put into picking up vocabulary, spelling, reading and writing.

However, the area where your learning becomes most crucial is when it finally gets put into practice – not just in the classroom, but in real life. In the classroom, be it online or in a school, someone is at hand to listen, to support, to test you and shape your learning.

But how can you make sure you understand what’s going on once you go out into the world and begin to practice your English? Often as we begin to practice our new-found language skills, we realize that the way words sound in conversation can be very different from how we learned originally. Accents, speed, slang and idiomatic variances can mean we feel very lost – almost as if the other person isn’t speaking English at all.

Here is the EF English Live guide to helpful phrases and words to use when you’re not quite sure what someone is telling you…

Formal

These short phrases are polite ways to communicate that you didn’t hear or don’t understand something in the English language.

• Sorry?
• Excuse me?
• Pardon?
• I beg your pardon?
  [this is particularly formal and now mostly used in England]

Longer formal sentences

These sentences will help you when you don’t understand something even though you have heard it.

• Sorry, I’m afraid I don’t follow you.
• Excuse me, could you repeat the question?
• I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Could you say it again?
• I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Would you mind speaking more slowly?
• I’m confused. Could you tell me again?
• I’m sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you repeat a little louder, please?
• I didn’t hear you. Please could you tell me again?

Informal

These are more common, casual, conversational ways to ask someone to repeat themselves, or communicate your lack of understanding. Some are more informal (i.e. rude!) than others.

• Sorry? – most useful for when you simply didn’t hear
• Sorry, what? – useful for not recognizing the sound you heard
• A little more informal (can be rude)
• ‘Scuse me? – a more casual version of ‘excuse me’
• Huh? – not quite a word but a sound; careful how you use it as it can sound rude; as a sound is more commonly associated with ‘I don’t get it’ or ‘I don’t understand’ rather than ‘I can’t hear you’
• What? – sometimes this can seem aggressive, be careful!
• Eh? – a sound usually used to communicate that it is difficult to hear/decipher someone
• Hmm? – a sound used when you are a bit more absent-minded or maybe not listening so hard

Slang

• Come again?
• Say what? – this is particularly American English
• Pass that by me again?
• You what? – this is more common in the United Kingdom
• I don’t get it… not a question but a statement, meaning simply ‘I don’t understand’

Idioms

Idioms are sayings particular to their language of origin. Here we take a look at three that you might use if you wanted to find a more creative way of saying something that sounds complicated, unclear or difficult to understand.

• I can’t make head nor tail of what you’re saying.
• This is all Greek to me.
• Sorry this is as clear as mud to me.

A lack of interest, intelligence or understanding in a given topic or subject. blankness. bewilderment. confusion. incomprehension.

What is the synonym and antonym of understand?

understand . Antonyms : misapprehend, miscomprehend, ignore, misinterpret, declare, state, enunciate, express. Synonyms : apprehend, comprehend , know, perceive, discern, conceive, learn, recognize, interpret, imply.

What is the antonym of understanding?

What is the opposite of understanding?

How do you describe someone who is understanding?

Empathetic Someone who has the ability to understand and share someone’s feelings and emotions. … Sympathetic Someone who is concerned about somebody and cares about them and what they feel.

What is a synonym of understanding?

SYNONYMS . comprehension, apprehension, grasp, grip, mastery, perception, discernment, appreciation, interpretation, cognizance, ken, conception, digestion, assimilation, absorption. knowledge, awareness, consciousness. insight into, familiarity with, acquaintance with.

What is a synonym for a deeper understanding?

Synonyms . savvy self-knowledge appreciation brainstorm hold smattering grasping discernment hindsight apprehension comprehension realisation realization insight brainwave recognition grasp knowing. Antonyms.

How do you develop deep understanding?

Compare Show how things are alike or not alike Explain Give the meaning of a topic clearly. Relate Show that the ideas are connected to each other. Analyze Examine in detail the elements of a topic and how they relate to each other. Apply Make use of specific knowledge or concepts to solve a problem.

What is another word for understanding?

SYNONYMS. comprehend , apprehend, grasp, see, take in, perceive, discern, make out, puzzle out, recognize, keep up with, master, get to know, follow, fathom, get to the bottom of, penetrate, divine, interpret, unravel, decipher, see the light about, envisage.

Эта статья окажется полезной, без сомнения, для всех изучателей английского языка. Знаете, какая самая востребованная фраза для изучающих иностранный язык? Правильно, «Я не понимаю». Ну хорошо, допустим, вы знаете, как выразить свое непонимание. А как быть дальше? Как переспросить? Или попросить уточнить? Мы решили вам помочь и предусмотрели наиболее возможные варианты развития событий. Надеемся, они вам помогут!

Как переспросить?

Как попросить дать разъяснение?

Добавлено: 24.10.13

What is the word for not understanding?

A lack of interest, intelligence or understanding in a given topic or subject. blankness. bewilderment. confusion. incomprehension.

What defines a failure?

Failure is defined as an absence or lack of success. This is a pretty general purpose definition. It allows us to personally define success so we can know whether or not we have failed.

What is a synonym for fail?

Synonyms. go bad pass away break go down blow out die pass give-up the ghost go give out choke kick the bucket cash in one’s chips crash exit decease perish misfire malfunction pop off give way buy the farm croak snuff it break down blow conk burn out conk out misfunction change expire drop dead. Antonyms.

What is another word for better understanding?

What is another word for better understanding?awarenessinsightunderstandingappreciationapprehensioncomprehensiongraspapperceptioncognitionconception17

What can I say instead of understanding?

10 great ways to say “I understand”To catch on. Example: I tend to catch on fairly quickly.To catch one’s drift. Example: It’s Ok, I catch your drift.To grasp something. Example: I am able to grasp things pretty quickly.To get something. To get the idea. To get the picture. To get the hang of something. To catch/get the gist of something.

How do you say I can understand?

You can do that by saying:OK / Alright / Sure.Got it.OK, I get it now / That’s clear, thank you.Fair enough / I see where you’re coming from / I take your point / That makes sense.Of course / Absolutely.I appreciate why you think that, but…I hear what you’re saying, but…When You Understand Someone’s Feelings:

How do you say no problem in a formal way?

No Problem SynonymsYou’re welcome (F)Sure thing (I)No worries (I)Cool (I)It’s all gravy (I)It’s all right (I)Certainly (F)Of course (F)

What to say instead of I understand how you feel?

What to Say Instead of ‘I Know How You Feel’ After a DeathI’m here if you want to talk.You’re so strong, and I’m proud of you.Tell me how you’re feeling.I’m sorry you’re going through this.Please accept my sincere condolences.I know you’ll get through this.You’re always in my thoughts.

How do you express empathy in text?

Use this inspirational empathy words list to express your feelings:Things are tough right now, but I’m here.I understand how hard this is for you.What you’re saying makes so much sense to me.I wish I had been there with you when that happened.That must have hurt your feelings.I hear what you’re saying.

What is a good example of empathy?

Imagine your beloved dog is dying. You try to keep her happy and comfortable for as long as possible, but a day comes when she is in too much pain to enjoy her life. You take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. This is a choice made out of empathy.

What are good empathy statements?

So, here’s a handy list of empathy statements to get you started on the road to better service.“If I am understanding correctly…” “I would feel X too in that situation” “You’re right” “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this…” “I’ve experienced this issue recently too” “Thank you for getting in touch about this”

How do you sympathize?

Show sympathy with your wordsContinue to reach out. Even if many weeks or months have gone by, keep reaching out and offering your friendship. Share a memory. Share a sweet memory of the person who has passed away. Provide a listening ear. Showing sympathy can go the other way as well.

What not to say to someone who is grieving?

The Worst Things to Say to Someone in GriefAt least she lived a long life, many people die young.He is in a better place.She brought this on herself.There is a reason for everything.Aren’t you over him yet, he has been dead for awhile now.You can have another child still.

How do you sympathize someone in pain?

Examples of Empathetic ResponsesAcknowledge their pain. Perhaps the best thing you can do is to acknowledge how the other person feels. Share how you feel. Show gratitude that the person opened up. Show interest. Be encouraging. Be supportive.