What is a common mistake with “Anlamadım”?

✗ Anlamıyorum (after one sentence) → ✓ Anlamadım: Anlamadım is the natural reaction to something just said.

Phrase 36 of 500

How to say “I didn't understand” in Turkish

Q: How is “Anlamadım” used in a conversation?

Garson: Yanında ne içersiniz? (What would you like to drink with it?) Ben: Pardon, anlamadım. Tekrar eder misiniz? (Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you repeat?)

Anlamadım means "I didn't understand". It is the past tense, so it sounds natural right after someone has spoken.

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Anlamadım.

ahn·lah·mah·duhm

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Meaning: I didn't understand.
Pronunciation: ahn·lah·mah·duhm

What “Anlamadım” really means

Anlamadım means "I didn't understand". It is the past tense, so it sounds natural right after someone has spoken. Pair it with "Tekrar eder misiniz?" (Can you repeat?) or "Yavaş konuşur musunuz?" (Can you speak slowly?).

💬 Example dialogues

GarsonYanında ne içersiniz?What would you like to drink with it?

BenPardon, anlamadım. Tekrar eder misiniz?Sorry, I didn't understand. Could you repeat?

TeyzeNe dedim ben, anladın mı?What did I say, did you understand?

BenHayır, anlamadım. Bir daha söyler misin?No, I didn't understand. Can you say it again?

🚫 When NOT to use it

Said sharply on its own, "Anlamadım!" can sound like "What on earth are you talking about?". Add "Pardon" or "Kusura bakmayın" to keep it soft.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Turks often repeat louder instead of slower. Saying "Yavaş, lütfen" with a smile is completely fine.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Anlamıyorum (after one sentence) → ✓ AnlamadımAnlamadım is the natural reaction to something just said.

Letters to watch in this sentence

I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”