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Breakdown of wǒ yǐqián bù dǒng zhè gè yìsi.
我wǒ
I
不bù
not
这zhè
this
个gè
noun classifier
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
以前yǐqián
before
懂dǒng
to understand
意思yìsi
meaning
Questions & Answers about wǒ yǐqián bù dǒng zhè gè yìsi.
How is past time expressed here without 了?
Chinese often marks time with time words instead of verb tense. 以前 (“before/earlier”) sets the time frame, so no 了 is needed. The sentence states a past state: you used to not understand.
- To add a “now I do” contrast, say: 我以前不懂这个意思，现在懂了。
Why is 不 used instead of 没(有)?
- 不 negates a general state, habit, or ability (and is the default negator).
- 没(有) negates a completed event or experience. Here we’re describing a state/ability at an earlier time, so 不懂 is natural. If you want to say you failed to understand on a specific occasion, you’d use 没懂 (see next Q).
Can I say 我以前没懂这个意思? What’s the nuance?
It’s possible, but it shifts the meaning:
- 我以前不懂这个意思 = I used to not understand this (general state back then; often implies improvement now).
- 我以前没懂这个意思 = On previous occasions I didn’t manage to understand it (event-focused). For a single occasion: 那次我没懂你的意思。
Where does 以前 go? Can it go at the beginning or end?
Time words usually come after the subject or at the very start:
- 我以前不懂这个意思。
- 以前我不懂这个意思。 Putting it at the end (我不懂这个意思以前) is unnatural.
Why 这个 and not just 这? Is 个 required?
After 这/那/每, Chinese normally requires a measure word. 个 is the default, so 这个意思 is standard. Without a measure word, it sounds dialectal or very colloquial.
Can I drop 个 and say 这意思?
In casual colloquial speech (especially in the north), 这意思 is heard. In standard/written Mandarin, stick with 这个意思.
Pronunciation tips: any tone changes here?
- Pinyin: wǒ yǐqián bù dǒng zhè ge yìsi.
- Third-tone sandhi: 我 wǒ (3) before 以 yǐ (3) is pronounced like a rising tone: roughly “wó yǐqián”.
- 不 stays fourth tone here (bù dǒng), because it changes to bú only before another fourth tone.
- 这 is zhè (4), often colloquially zhèi before a measure word: zhèi ge.
- 个 is usually neutral tone here: ge.
- 意思 is yìsi; the second syllable is neutral tone.
Does 以前 imply that now I understand?
Often yes, pragmatically it hints at a contrast with the present. But it doesn’t guarantee it. Make it explicit if needed:
- Now I do: 我以前不懂这个意思，现在懂了。
- Still don’t: 我以前不懂这个意思，现在还是不懂。
What’s the difference between 懂, 明白, 理解, 知道, 了解 here?
- 懂: to grasp/understand (everyday, very common) — fits best with 意思.
- 明白: near-synonym of 懂; slightly clearer/explicit understanding. 我以前不明白这个意思。
- 理解: deeper, more reasoned understanding. 我以前不理解这个意思。
- 知道: to know (a fact); less natural with 意思 alone. Better with a clause: 我不知道这个词是什么意思。
- 了解: to be familiar with/understand in depth (about subjects/people), less about the meaning of a specific word/phrase.
Should there be 的, like 这个的意思 or 这个词的意思?
- 这个意思 = “this meaning” (referring directly to the meaning as a concept).
- 这个词的意思 = “the meaning of this word” (noun + 的 + noun pattern).
- 这个的意思 is usually wrong unless 这个 stands for a previously mentioned noun (rare in this exact sentence).
Can/should I use 了 here?
Not inside this clause. 我以前不懂这个意思 is fine. If you want to mark a change now, add another clause:
- 我以前不懂这个意思，现在懂了。 Saying 不懂了 means “no longer understand (now)”, which conflicts with 以前.
When would I use 听不懂 or 看不懂 instead?
Use a perceptual verb when you want to specify the channel:
- Listening: 我以前听不懂他的中文。 (I couldn’t understand his Chinese by listening.)
- Reading: 我以前看不懂这个句子。 For a meaning/concept itself, 不懂这个意思 is perfect.
Is 不太懂 more natural/polite?
Yes, 不太懂 softens the claim and often sounds more natural:
- 我以前不太懂这个意思。
Can I replace 以前 with 之前/曾经/过去/从前? Differences?
- 之前: “before (that point/event)”—often context-linked. 我之前不懂这个意思。
- 以前: broad “before/earlier” (neutral, very common).
- 曾经: “once/at one time,” often implying a contrast now. 我曾经不懂这个意思（现在懂了）。
- 过去/从前: “in the past/formerly,” a bit more formal/literary. 我过去不懂这个意思。
Why not use 是 (e.g., 我以前不是懂…)?
是 isn’t used to support verbs like 懂 in the way English uses “to be.” Use the adverbial negator directly: 不懂. Forms like 不是很懂 do exist colloquially (“not really knowledgeable about …”), but your sentence should be 不懂.
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