How to say “don't understand” in Chinese with 不懂 (bù dǒng)
Verb + 不懂 (bù dǒng)
Potential complement "-不懂 (bù dǒng)" for not understanding
Verb + 不懂 (bù dǒng)
HSK 2ComplementsPotential complement "-不懂 (bù dǒng)" for 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.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Potential complement "-不懂 (bù dǒng)" for not understanding” in Chinese?
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.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 2 grammar rules
Degree complement
Verb + 得 (de)⋯⋯
Result complements "-到 (dào)" and "-见 (jiàn)"
Verb + 到 (dào) / 见 (jiàn)
Result complements
Verb + 好 (hǎo) / 完 (wán) / 错 (cuò)
Result complement "-完 (wán)" for finishing
Verb + 完 (wán) (+ 了 (le))
Superlative "最 (zuì)"
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
Direction with "到 (dào) + place + 去 (qù)"
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
Expressing "although" with "虽然 (suīrán)" and "但是 (dànshì)"
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯,但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
Verbing briefly with "一下 (yíxià)"
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
