Signification
Admitting a lack of understanding.
Contexte culturel
Italians often use the 'pinecone hand' gesture (fingertips together) when they don't understand something, especially if they find the other person's statement absurd. In the South, communication can be even more indirect. A 'Non capisco' might be followed by a long explanation of why they are confused to maintain social harmony. In universities, students might use 'Non mi è chiaro' instead of 'Non capisco' to sound more professional and intellectually engaged. On Italian TikTok or Instagram, 'Non capisco' is often used in memes to mock confusing trends or political statements.
Add 'Scusa'
Always add 'Scusa' (informal) or 'Scusi' (formal) before 'non capisco' to sound more polite.
The -isc- trap
Don't forget the 'isc'! 'Non capo' is a very common and funny mistake for beginners.
Signification
Admitting a lack of understanding.
Add 'Scusa'
Always add 'Scusa' (informal) or 'Scusi' (formal) before 'non capisco' to sound more polite.
The -isc- trap
Don't forget the 'isc'! 'Non capo' is a very common and funny mistake for beginners.
Use the Past Tense
Try saying 'Non ho capito' for a more native-sounding response to a specific sentence.
Body Language
Tilt your head slightly to the side to show you are trying to process the information.
Teste-toi
Which is the correct way to say 'I don't understand' in Italian?
___ capisco.
'Non' is the standard adverb used to negate verbs in Italian.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'capire'.
Scusa, io non _______.
The first-person singular present of 'capire' requires the '-isc-' suffix.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a loud bar and can't hear your friend.
This phrase specifically addresses the environmental noise causing the lack of understanding.
Fill in the missing line.
A: 'Devi girare a sinistra dopo il ponte.' B: '________, può ripetere?'
The speaker is asking for a repetition because they didn't understand the directions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Non capisco'
Language
- • Fast speech
- • New words
- • Accents
Logic
- • Directions
- • Instructions
- • Math
Social
- • Jokes
- • Sarcasm
- • Slang
Banque d exercices
4 exercices___ capisco.
'Non' is the standard adverb used to negate verbs in Italian.
Scusa, io non _______.
The first-person singular present of 'capire' requires the '-isc-' suffix.
You are in a loud bar and can't hear your friend.
This phrase specifically addresses the environmental noise causing the lack of understanding.
A: 'Devi girare a sinistra dopo il ponte.' B: '________, può ripetere?'
The speaker is asking for a repetition because they didn't understand the directions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot at all! It's much more polite to admit you don't understand than to ignore someone or pretend you do.
'Capire' is everyday language; 'Comprendere' is more formal and implies a deeper level of grasping a concept.
Yes, but Italians usually drop the 'Io' unless they want to emphasize that *they* specifically don't understand while others might.
Use 'Non capisco niente'. It's a very common and useful phrase.
Because 'capire' is an '-isco' verb. It's just a special group of verbs in Italian that add those extra letters in the present tense.
You can say 'Capisco solo un po'' (I only understand a little).
In conversation, 'Non ho capito' is very common because it refers to the specific thing the person *just* said.
Say 'Non ti capisco' (informal) or 'Non La capisco' (formal).
Yes! 'Non capisco questa mappa' is perfectly correct.
Open your palms and shrug your shoulders slightly while making a confused face.
No. If you can't hear, use 'Non sento'.
Say 'Non capisco, può parlare più piano, per favore?'.
Expressions liées
Non ho capito
similarI didn't understand
Non comprendo
synonymI do not comprehend
Non mi è chiaro
similarIt's not clear to me
Cosa?
specialized formWhat?
Può ripetere?
builds onCan you repeat?
