Saying You Don't Understand

You're in a conversation and completely lost — you need to communicate that you don't understand.

Local
Tiene que sacar un turno en la ventanilla y después esperar a que lo llamen.
TYEH-neh keh sah-KAR oon TOOR-noh en lah vehn-tah-NEE-yah ee dehs-PWEHS ehs-peh-RAR ah keh loh YAH-mehn.
You have to get a number at the window and then wait for them to call you.
You
Lo siento, no entiendo. No hablo bien español.
loh SYEHN-toh, noh ehn-TYEHN-doh. noh AH-bloh byehn ehs-pah-NYOHL.
I'm sorry, I don't understand. I don't speak Spanish well.
Saying 'no hablo bien español' rather than 'no hablo español' shows humility and usually makes people more willing to help.
Local
Ah, no se preocupe. Necesita un número. Vaya a esa ventanilla.
ah, noh seh preh-oh-KOO-peh. neh-seh-SEE-tah oon NOO-meh-roh. VAH-yah ah EH-sah vehn-tah-NEE-yah.
Oh, don't worry. You need a number. Go to that window.
You
¿Qué significa 'turno'?
keh seeg-NEE-fee-kah TOOR-noh?
What does 'turno' mean?
'¿Qué significa...?' is one of the most useful phrases for learners — it lets you build vocabulary in real time.
Local
Es como un número. Usted espera su turno.
ehs KOH-moh oon NOO-meh-roh. oos-TEHD ehs-PEH-rah soo TOOR-noh.
It's like a number. You wait for your turn.