Learn Italian: Non ho capito la risposta. Puoi ripetere, per favore? - I didn't understand the answer. Can you repeat, please?

In Italian, the most common past tense is made of two parts. You need a helper verb, which is ho (I have) in this case, plus the past action word capito (understood). So ho capito literally translates to 'I have understood'.

Where do I put non in a past tense sentence?

To make a sentence negative, you always put non directly in front of the main conjugated verb. Here, the conjugated verb is the helper verb ho, so non must go right before it to make non ho capito.

Why isn't ripetere conjugated to match 'you'?

The verb puoi (you can) is a helper verb. When you use verbs like can, want, or must, the verb that immediately follows it stays in its original dictionary form (the infinitive). That is why it is puoi ripetere instead of puoi ripeti.

Is puoi ripetere formal or informal?

It is informal because puoi is the tu (informal you) form of the verb potere (to be able to). If you were speaking to a stranger or a figure of authority, you would use the formal Lei form and ask Può ripetere, per favore? instead.