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Questions & Answers about Žao mi je, ne razumijem.
Why does the phrase use je (is) if the English translation is "I am"?
In Croatian, you don't say "I am sorry." Instead, the set phrase Žao mi je literally translates to "It is a sorrow to me" or "It is a regret to me." That is why it uses the word je (it is).
What does the word mi do in this sentence?
mi is a short word meaning "to me." Croatian expresses certain feelings by saying they happen to you, rather than saying you are the feeling.
Where is the word for "I" in ne razumijem?
The "I" is built right into the verb. The ending -m on razumijem tells you that "I" am the one who doesn't understand. You usually drop the word ja (I) because the verb ending already makes it perfectly clear.
Can I say ja ne razumijem instead?
Yes, you can, but adding ja makes it sound very emphatic, like saying "I personally don't understand (even if others do)." For a normal "I don't understand," just ne razumijem sounds much more natural.