이해하지 못해요.

When to use

Use this phrase when you do not understand someone's words, instructions, or a written text. It is a polite way to admit a lack of comprehension.

Speech Level

The '-아요/어요' ending signifies the standard polite informal speech level, appropriate for most interactions.

How it works

This is a negative statement formed by combining the verb '이해하다' (to understand) with the negative auxiliary verb '못하다' (cannot).

• 이해하-: Verb stem of '이해하다' (to understand)
• -지 못해요: Negative construction indicating inability (cannot do)

Pronunciation

In '못해요', the final 'ㅅ' batchim of '못' meets the 'ㅎ' of '해', resulting in an aspirated 'ㅌ' sound. It is pronounced like '모태요' (motaeyo).

Notes

A polite way to state you haven't grasped what was said or written.