我听不懂。

When to use

Essential for language learners when native speakers talk too fast or use unfamiliar spoken vocabulary.

How it works

This phrase uses the structure: Subject + Verb + Negative Complement. Here, 听 means 'to listen', 不 is the negative marker, and 懂 means 'to understand'.

• 我 (wǒ): I
• 听 (tīng): to listen
• 不 (bù): not
• 懂 (dǒng): to understand

Grammar: Resultative Complement

The structure Verb + 不 + Complement forms a potential complement, indicating whether the action can achieve its result. Here, 懂 is the result of listening.

Notes

A polite way to indicate you haven't understood spoken words.