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Questions & Answers about Я совсем не понимаю урок.
Why is there no article before урок?
Russian does not use definite or indefinite articles like the or a/an in English. Nouns stand alone, and context tells you whether you mean “a lesson,” “the lesson,” or just “lesson” in general.
Why is урок in the accusative case here?
The verb понимать (“to understand”) requires its direct object in the accusative case. Since урок is a masculine inanimate noun, its accusative form is identical to the nominative: урок.
What does совсем mean, and why is it used?
Совсем means “completely,” “entirely,” or “at all” (in negative contexts). It strengthens the negation: “I don’t understand the lesson at all.”
Why is не placed before понимаю and not before урок?
In Russian, не typically precedes the verb to negate the entire action. Placing не before понимаю negates “understand.” You wouldn’t say понимаю не урок; that would be ungrammatical.
Could I say Я совсем не понимаю урока using the genitive case?
Generally no. Понимать governs the accusative. Using the genitive (урока) here would sound odd. Only some verbs and contexts (like partitive or “feel like”) permit genitive in negation, but понимать is not one of them.
What is the difference between Я не понимаю урок and Я совсем не понимаю урок?
Я не понимаю урок simply states “I don’t understand the lesson.” Adding совсем intensifies it: “I don’t understand the lesson at all.”
Can I rearrange the words, for example Я не совсем понимаю урок?
You can, but that changes the nuance to “I don’t fully understand the lesson,” meaning “I understand a bit, but not completely.” In contrast, Я совсем не понимаю урок means “I don’t understand it in the slightest.”
Why not use a perfective verb like понять? Say, Я совсем не пойму урок?
Понять is perfective, so я не пойму урок means “I won’t manage to understand the lesson” (future). In present-time statements about ongoing comprehension, you need the imperfective понимать.
If I’m a male student, can I say Я совсем не понял урок instead?
Я совсем не понял урок is past tense (“I didn’t understand the lesson at all”). If you’re talking about a lesson that just finished, that’s fine. But to express a general or ongoing inability, stick with present tense: Я совсем не понимаю урок.