What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of je (I), ne…pas (not), and comprends (understand).
Which one should you use?
While je ne comprends pas means "I don't understand", the phrase je ne comprends rien means "I understand nothing" and is used for a stronger sense of confusion.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In spoken, informal French, the ne is frequently dropped, resulting in je comprends pas. For more formal situations, you might use Je ne saisis pas or the variation Je n'ai pas saisi. Conversely, among younger people or in very casual settings, you may hear colloquial expressions such as Je capte pas, J'y pige rien or the informal phrase Pas pigé (meaning "Didn't get it").
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb comprendre is conjugated as comprends for both the first person je (I) and the second person singular tu (you) in the present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒə n(ə) kɔ̃.pʁɑ̃ pa/
Did you know?
- In very casual French, you might hear Je capte pas to say you do not understand. This uses a verb that literally refers to capturing a radio or television signal.
- The word pas originally meant 'a step' in Latin. It was used as a way to say 'not a single step' to emphasize a negation, eventually becoming a standard part of almost all French negative sentences.
- While je ne comprends pas is standard, the alternative Je ne saisis pas uses a verb that literally means 'to seize' or 'to grab', as if the speaker is trying to catch an idea.
Examples in context
- Je suis désolé, je n'ai pas compris.I'm sorry, I didn't understand.
- Je ne comprends pas votre question.I do not understand your question.
- Désolé, je ne comprends pas ce mot.Sorry, I do not understand this word.
- Je ne comprends pas le problème.I do not understand the problem.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are studying a French textbook together.
- LucasEst-ce que tu comprends cet exercice, Chloé ?Do you understand this exercise, Chloé?
- ChloéNon, je ne comprends pas la consigne.No, I do not understand the instruction.
- LucasC'est difficile, n'est-ce pas ?It is difficult, isn't it?
- ChloéOui, je ne comprends pas du tout.Yes, I do not understand at all.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry je ne comprends pas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, ne, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
