10 Different Ways to Say “I Don’t Understand”

Expressing a lack of understanding in a professional or polite manner is essential for fostering clear communication, especially in workplace discussions or virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom or Teams. These 10 alternative phrases to say “I don’t understand” help you seek clarification respectfully and constructively. For Hindi-speaking professionals, we’ve included translations (हिंदी) to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance. Use these phrases to maintain professionalism while addressing confusion.

1. I Don’t Get It

Hindi: मुझे समझ नहीं आया
Why it works: Informal and direct, suitable for casual or collaborative settings.
Example: “I don’t get it—can you walk me through the process again?”

2. I’m Confused

Hindi: मैं भ्रमित हूँ
Why it works: Honestly conveys confusion without sounding dismissive, ideal for team discussions.
Example: “I’m confused about the new policy’s implications.”

3. I’m Not Following

Hindi: मैं समझ नहीं पा रहा हूँ
Why it works: Indicates difficulty keeping up, encouraging further explanation.
Example: “I’m not following the logic behind this decision.”

4. Can You Explain That Again?

Hindi: क्या आप इसे फिर से समझा सकते हैं?
Why it works: Politely requests repetition, showing eagerness to understand.
Example: “Can you explain that again? I missed some details.”

5. I Didn’t Catch That

Hindi: मैंने वह समझा नहीं
Why it works: Suggests the issue is with reception, keeping the tone neutral.
Example: “I didn’t catch that—could you repeat the figures?”

6. Could You Clarify That?

Hindi: क्या आप इसे स्पष्ट कर सकते हैं?
Why it works: Formal and professional, perfect for meetings or client interactions.
Example: “Could you clarify that point about the budget allocation?”

7. I’m Not Clear on That

Hindi: मुझे वह स्पष्ट नहीं है
Why it works: Directly addresses lack of clarity while remaining respectful.
Example: “I’m not clear on that section of the proposal.”

8. Can You Simplify That?

Hindi: क्या आप इसे सरल कर सकते हैं?
Why it works: Requests a simpler explanation without implying incompetence.
Example: “Can you simplify that technical jargon for me?”

9. I Need More Explanation

Hindi: मुझे और स्पष्टीकरण चाहिए
Why it works: Clearly communicates the need for additional details, ideal for complex topics.
Example: “I need more explanation on how this impacts our timeline.”

10. That’s Unclear to Me

Hindi: यह मुझे अस्पष्ट लगता है
Why it works: Politely highlights confusion while inviting further discussion.
Example: “That’s unclear to me—can we go over the steps again?”