Whether you are a native English speaker or a non-native speaker, you’ll often need to use the phrases I don’t understand and Do you understand? They are essential for keeping a conversation going, sharing ideas, and simply enjoying clear communication. This section shows the various expressions used to check for understanding, to say that you don’t understand, or that you do。
ASKING DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
To ask if someone understands your English you can just say Understand? or you can use one of the following expressions for “Do you understand?”
The expressions in the following list can be used to ask if someone understands something unfamiliar or difficult or if someone understands one’s meaning or point of view. Most of these expressions may be said in a shortened version, not using the words shown in parentheses. The shorter versions of these expressions are very common, and they’re more slangy and familiar。
Did you get that?
Is that clear?
Capeesh? (derived from the Italian word for understand)
(Do you) see?
(Do you) get it ?
(Have you) got it?
(Do you) get the picture? (means “Do you understand the general idea?”)
(Does that) make sense? (means “Is it logical?”)
The following expressions can be sued interchangeably with many of the ones in the preceding list, but they have some additional meanings:
(Are you) with me? Can also mean “Do you share my view?”
See what I mean? Can also mean “Do you understand the problem; understand my meaning or viewpoint?”
(Do you) get my drift? Means “Do you understand what I’m indirectly implying?”
(Do you) see my point? Means “Do you understand my opinion?”
Am I making myself clear? Often said by a person of authority after giving an order or having a serious talk
SAYING I UNDERSTAND
You can answer any of the questions that check for understanding by turning the question into a statement (either positive or negative). Here are a few examples:
Possible answer
Do you get it? I get it! or Got it!
Does that make sense? That makes sense。
Is that clear? That’s clear。
See my point? I don’t see your point。
SAYING I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND
When one doesn’t understand, there are a number of polite statements and short expressions that mean I don’t understand。
I’m afraid I don’t understand: I’m afraid is a polite opener like I’m sorry to say…
I’m not clear on that or It’s not clear: in this context, clear (on) means understanding or understandable
I don’t get it: get it is slang for understand
Huh? or What?: casual and familiar responses
Come again?: means “Say that again” or “Explain that again”
How’s that?: means “Say that again” or “Explain that again”
What’s that?: means “Say that again” or “Explain that again”； doesn’t mean “What is that thing?”
Say (that) again?: means “Please repeat that。”
Say what?: slangy and familiar; can be considered rude
That went right over my head: means “That’s too difficult for me”； sometimes said along with a gesture of one’s hand sweeping past the top of one’s head
