mi ne komprenas
Understanding and Asking Again
Four short phrases help when you do not follow.
How It Works
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mi ne komprenas. | I do not understand. |
| Mi ne scias. | I do not know. |
| Ripetu, bonvolu. | Please repeat. |
| Parolu malrapide, bonvolu. | Please speak slowly. |
The small word ne stands right before what it denies. In Mi ne komprenas it denies the verb, so the whole sentence is negative.
Ripetu and parolu end in -u, the ending of requests and commands. A later topic explains it, so for now learn these two as complete phrases. Like other commands, they leave out the word vi, which is understood.
Malrapide means slowly. It is rapide (quickly) with mal- in front, and it ends in -e because it tells how someone speaks.
Add vin to say whom you do not understand: Mi ne komprenas vin means I do not understand you.
Examples (5)
- Pardonu, mi ne komprenas.
Sorry, I do not understand.
Ne stands before the verb it denies.
- Mi ne scias.
I do not know.
Scias is the verb to know a fact.
- Ripetu, bonvolu.
Please repeat.
Ripetu is a polite request, and bonvolu makes it softer.
- Parolu malrapide, bonvolu.
Please speak slowly.
Malrapide tells how to speak, so it ends in -e.
- Jes, mi komprenas vin.
Yes, I understand you.
Vin is the object, so it ends in -n.
Common Mistakes
Putting ne after the verb.
Mi komprenas ne.Mi ne komprenas.Ne stands before the word it denies. To deny komprenas, put ne in front of it.
Using the adjective instead of the adverb.
Parolu malrapida, bonvolu.Parolu malrapide, bonvolu.Malrapide tells how to speak, so it needs the -e ending, not -a.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Asking for help uses ne and the polite word bonvolu.
Related Patterns
Practice mi ne komprenas in Bubblegum
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