How to say “don't understand” in Chinese with 不懂 (bù dǒng)
Verb + 不懂 (bù dǒng)
不懂 (bù dǒng) — not understanding
Verb + 不懂 (bù dǒng)
HSK 2Complements不懂 (bù dǒng) — not understanding
Rule structure
懂 (dǒng) means "to understand." Adding the potential infix 得 (de) or 不 (bu) creates potential complements 看得懂 (kàn de dǒng) ("can understand by looking") and 看不懂 (kàn bù dǒng) ("can't understand by looking").
Rule structure
懂 (dǒng) means "to understand." Adding the potential infix 得 (de) or 不 (bu) creates potential complements 看得懂 (kàn de dǒng) ("can understand by looking") and 看不懂 (kàn bù dǒng) ("can't understand by looking").
Examples
我听不懂。
Wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
I don't understand by listening.
Examples
我听不懂。
Wǒ tīng bù dǒng.
I don't understand by listening.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not understanding” in Chinese with 不懂?
Use the structure: Verb + 不懂 (bù dǒng). For example: 我听不懂。 — “I don't understand by listening.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我听不懂。 — “I don't understand by listening.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
得 — degree complement
Verb + 得 (de)⋯⋯
到 vs 见 — result complements
Verb + 到 (dào) / 见 (jiàn)
好 / 完 / 错 — result complements
Verb + 好 (hǎo) / 完 (wán) / 错 (cuò)
完 — finishing an action
Verb + 完 (wán) (+ 了 (le))
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)