Signification
Admitting a lack of comprehension.
Contexte culturel
Poles value intellectual honesty. If you don't understand, it's better to say so than to pretend. However, older generations might find 'nie kumam' too casual. In the US, people often use 'I'm sorry, I don't follow' or 'I'm not sure I understand' to be more polite. Polish is more direct. In Japan, 'Wakarimasen' can sometimes be a way to avoid a difficult conversation. In Poland, it's a direct request for more information. British English often uses 'I'm afraid I don't quite catch that'. Polish lacks the 'I'm afraid' softening in this specific phrase.
Add 'Przepraszam'
Always add 'Przepraszam' before the phrase to sound more polite to strangers.
Tego, not To
Remember the 'tego'! Using 'to' is the most common beginner mistake and sounds very 'foreign'.
Signification
Admitting a lack of comprehension.
Add 'Przepraszam'
Always add 'Przepraszam' before the phrase to sound more polite to strangers.
Tego, not To
Remember the 'tego'! Using 'to' is the most common beginner mistake and sounds very 'foreign'.
The 'Slang' Switch
Use 'Nie ogarniam' with people your own age to instantly sound more like a native speaker.
Honesty is Key
Don't be embarrassed. Poles prefer you to be clear about what you don't know.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I don't understand this'.
Nie ________ tego.
The first person singular form of 'rozumieć' is 'rozumiem'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct form of 'this' after a negative verb.
Negation requires the Genitive case, and 'tego' is the Genitive of 'to'.
Match the Polish phrase with its register.
Match the phrases:
These are the standard register classifications for these synonyms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Czy wiesz, jak dojechać do centrum? B: Przepraszam, ________.
In this context, the person is asking for information (facts), so 'nie wiem' is more appropriate than 'nie rozumiem'. However, if the question was confusingly phrased, 'nie rozumiem tego' could work.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to say 'I don't get it'
Formal
- • Nie pojmuję
- • To niejasne
Neutral
- • Nie rozumiem
Slang
- • Nie ogarniam
- • Nie kumam
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNie ________ tego.
The first person singular form of 'rozumieć' is 'rozumiem'.
Choose the correct form of 'this' after a negative verb.
Negation requires the Genitive case, and 'tego' is the Genitive of 'to'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard register classifications for these synonyms.
A: Czy wiesz, jak dojechać do centrum? B: Przepraszam, ________.
In this context, the person is asking for information (facts), so 'nie wiem' is more appropriate than 'nie rozumiem'. However, if the question was confusingly phrased, 'nie rozumiem tego' could work.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is neutral. However, adding 'Przepraszam' (Excuse me) makes it more polite.
Yes, 'Nie rozumiem' is perfectly fine and very common. 'Tego' just adds a specific object (this).
Because of the Genitive of Negation rule in Polish grammar.
'Pojmuję' is more formal and implies a deeper intellectual or emotional struggle to grasp something.
Say 'Nie rozumiem cię' (informal) or 'Nie rozumiem Pana/Pani' (formal).
No, it's too informal. Stick to 'nie rozumiem'.
Say 'Nic nie rozumiem'.
Yes, in the sense of 'I see what you mean', you can say 'Rozumiem'.
Yes, you can use it when a situation is confusing or illogical.
Nie zrozumiałem tego (masculine) or Nie zrozumiałam tego (feminine).
Expressions liées
Nie wiem
similarI don't know
Nie ogarniam
synonymI don't get it / I'm overwhelmed
Co to znaczy?
builds onWhat does it mean?
Słucham?
contrastPardon? / I'm listening?
