B2 Expression Neutral

माफ़ करना, मैं समझा नहीं।

maaf karna, main samjha nahi.

Sorry, I didn't understand.

Bedeutung

Apologizing for not comprehending something said.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

In urban areas, it is very common to mix English. You might hear 'Sorry, main samjha nahi' or 'Māf karna, I didn't get it.' In professional settings, people prefer 'Mujhe samajh nahi aaya' (I didn't get it) as it sounds slightly more objective. Using 'Kshamā' (Sanskrit) can be seen as very respectful but might also mark you as a 'book-learned' speaker rather than a natural one. Confused characters often use 'Kya?' with a specific head tilt. The phrase is often used for comedic effect when a character is out of their depth.

🎯

The Head Tilt

In India, a slight side-to-side head tilt while saying this phrase makes you look much more like a native speaker and conveys genuine effort.

⚠️

Gender Check

If you are a woman and you say 'samjhā', people will understand you, but it's the #1 giveaway that you're still a beginner.

Bedeutung

Apologizing for not comprehending something said.

🎯

The Head Tilt

In India, a slight side-to-side head tilt while saying this phrase makes you look much more like a native speaker and conveys genuine effort.

⚠️

Gender Check

If you are a woman and you say 'samjhā', people will understand you, but it's the #1 giveaway that you're still a beginner.

💬

English is Okay

If you're really stuck, saying 'Sorry?' with a rising intonation is perfectly acceptable in almost all parts of India.

Teste dich selbst

A woman is speaking. Which is the correct way for her to say she didn't understand?

माफ़ करना, मैं _______ नहीं।

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: समझी

Female subjects require the feminine singular past ending '-ī'.

Complete the formal version of the phrase.

माफ़ _______, मैं समझा नहीं।

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: कीजिये

'Kījiye' is the formal imperative form used with 'Aap'.

Match the phrase to the correct register.

1. क्षमा करें... 2. माफ़ करना... 3. पल्ले नहीं पड़ा...

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: C. Very Formal, B. Neutral, A. Slang

'Kshamā' is formal, 'Māf' is neutral, and 'Palle nahī̃ padā' is slang.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: 'क्या आप कल दफ़्तर आएँगे?' B: '_______, मैं समझा नहीं। क्या आप फिर से कह सकते हैं?'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: माफ़ करना

The context requires an apology for not understanding.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Ways to say 'I don't understand'

👔

Formal

  • क्षमा करें
  • समझ नहीं पाया
😐

Neutral

  • माफ़ करना
  • समझा नहीं
😎

Slang

  • क्या बोला?
  • पल्ले नहीं पड़ा

Aufgabensammlung

4 Aufgaben
A woman is speaking. Which is the correct way for her to say she didn't understand? Choose A2

माफ़ करना, मैं _______ नहीं।

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: समझी

Female subjects require the feminine singular past ending '-ī'.

Complete the formal version of the phrase. Fill Blank B1

माफ़ _______, मैं समझा नहीं।

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: कीजिये

'Kījiye' is the formal imperative form used with 'Aap'.

Match the phrase to the correct register. situation_matching B2

1. क्षमा करें... 2. माफ़ करना... 3. पल्ले नहीं पड़ा...

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: C. Very Formal, B. Neutral, A. Slang

'Kshamā' is formal, 'Māf' is neutral, and 'Palle nahī̃ padā' is slang.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: 'क्या आप कल दफ़्तर आएँगे?' B: '_______, मैं समझा नहीं। क्या आप फिर से कह सकते हैं?'

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: माफ़ करना

The context requires an apology for not understanding.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen

Yes, 'Sorry' is widely understood in India, but using the Hindi phrase shows respect for the culture.

It's neutral. To be extra polite, use 'Māf kījiye'.

Because 'samajhna' is an intransitive-behaving verb in this context and doesn't take the ergative 'ne'.

You can still use this phrase. It's a general 'I'm lost' signal.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

फिर से बोलिये

builds on

Please say it again

🔗

इसका क्या मतलब है?

similar

What does this mean?

🔄

मुझे समझ नहीं आया

synonym

Understanding didn't come to me

🔗

साफ़ बोलिये

specialized form

Speak clearly

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