How to say I don't understand in Thai

The tone on every syllable

Thai has five tones, and each syllable carries one. Here's the shape your voice makes on each part of ไม่เข้าใจ. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.

Other ways to say it

พูดช้าๆ

phûut cháa-cháa speak slowly (add ครับ or ค่ะ)

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Getting it right

• mâi and khâo are both falling: start high and drop each time.
• jai is mid and level.

When to use it

• ไม่ (mâi) makes things negative, so ไม่เข้าใจ is literally “not understand”.
• Follow it with พูดช้าๆ (phûut cháa-cháa), speak slowly, and ครับ or ค่ะ.

Check your tones

Reading the tone is one thing; saying it is another. In Ravela's Pronunciation Lab you say ไม่เข้าใจ and see your pitch drawn over a native line, with notes on what to change. It's free to start, no card needed.

Practise ไม่เข้าใจ free Try the no-signup tone test

Questions people ask

How do I ask someone to speak slowly in Thai?

พูดช้าๆ (phûut cháa-cháa), then ครับ if you're a man or ค่ะ if you're a woman.

What tones are in ไม่เข้าใจ?

Falling, falling, mid.

More Thai phrases

hello · thank you · sorry / excuse me · how are you? · delicious · how much? · beautiful · yes / no · where's the toilet? · excuse me · I love you · good night · what's your name? · where are you from? · khráp and khâ · the bill, please

The audio is Ravela's reference voice. Romanisation follows Ravela's house style, with the tone marked on every syllable.