How to Say “I Don’t Understand” in Korean Naturally

You’re Ordering a Latte at a Korean Café

Imagine that you are at a café in Korea.

You want to order a hot latte. You memorized the sentence 라떼 한 잔 주세요 and practiced it 1,000 times in your head.

You confidently walk up to the counter and say:

Perfect!

But then, the café staff asks:

You freeze.

You understood absolutely nothing.

You knew how to order a latte, but you weren’t prepared for the question that came next.

In this situation, you can simply say:

The staff will understand that you didn’t catch the question and will usually repeat it for you.

If you still don’t understand, you can say:

The Magical Korean Word: 네?

You may already know that 네 means “yes.”

However, when you say 네? with rising intonation, it can also mean:

• Pardon?
• Sorry?
• Could you say that again?

Your voice should go up at the end:

It is short, polite, and very natural. Koreans use it all the time when they do not hear or understand something clearly.

You don’t need to create a long, perfect sentence. One simple 네? is often enough.

This Happened to Me in French Too

This happened to me many times when I ordered something in French at a café.

I knew exactly how to place my order. But I wasn’t prepared for all the possible follow-up questions!

The staff might ask about the size, the type of milk, whether I wanted it hot or iced, or whether I was staying at the café.

Suddenly, the conversation I had practiced in my head was completely different. 😂

So, don’t worry if this happens to you in Korea. You have the magical—and extremely simple—word:

How to Politely Ask Someone to Repeat

If you want to use a complete sentence, say:

Let’s break it down:

• 아 — Oh
• 죄송해요 — I’m sorry
• 다시 — Again
• 한 번만 — Just one more time
• 말씀해 주세요 — Please say it

Using 한 번만 makes the request sound a little softer and more natural.

You can also use the shorter version:

Both expressions are polite and safe to use with café staff, store employees, teachers, and people you do not know well.

If someone is speaking too quickly, you can also say:

You can learn more in How to Say “Please Speak Slowly” in Korean.

Learn how to say “Please speak slowly” in Korean →

Questions You Might Hear at a Korean Café

Café staff may ask several different questions after you order.

따뜻한 걸로 드릴까요? 차가운 걸로 드릴까요?

Would you like it hot or iced?

You can answer:

매장에서 드시나요?

Are you having it here?

You can answer:

가지고 가세요?

Is it to go?

You can answer:

사이즈는 어떻게 하세요?

What size would you like?

You can answer:

Don’t worry if you cannot understand the entire question. You can simply say 네? and listen again for keywords such as 따뜻한, 차가운, 매장, or 사이즈.

You don’t have to understand every word to keep the conversation going!