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Isn't it better to daven in your first language rather than davening in Hebrew and only knowing part of what you're sayig?

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[Effectively] everyone agree's all else being equal it is preferable to daven in loshon Hakodesh (see M.B. 101:13), the holy language. It also must be borne in mind that in other languages one must understand what is being said while in loshon hakodesh you have fulfilled your obligation even if you did not (M.B. 101:14)

The issue is that we are told that the malachei hashareis, ministering angels, do not understand Aramaic (See Shach Y.D. 335:3, Taz Y.D. 335:4, M.B. 101:15), which some (such as the Rif) understand to applies to all languages other than loshon hakodesh. While HaKadosh Baruch Hu certainly doesn't need to be informed by the angels of our prayers (He doesn't even need our prayers to inform Him of our needs or wants, or what we think we need or want), He created the world to be administered in a certain orderly fashion (See Derech Hashem 2, 6:1-3)

As such at times when our audience with Hashem is more direct, as it were, then it is easier to grant licence to pray in a foreign tongue. For example when one prays with a minyan an individual may pray in his native language (O.C. 101:4, MB. 101:17). Likewise when one is praying before a sick person it is permitted to pray in any language (Y.D. 335:5, M.B. 101:16) since the Divine presence resides there so to speak (See Taz 335:3, Shach 335:3, M.B. 101:17 based on Shabbos 12b).

An individual making personal petitions alone should pray in loshon haKodesh. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 101:4)

The Biur Halachah on O.C. 101:4 explains that one who has yiras shamayim and wishes to pray in their native language specifically to improve their intent/concentration it is better to do so if they do not understand loshon hakodesh, otherwise loshon hakodesh has advantages which make it preferred.

I should add that in Hilchos Krias Shema the MB raised the issue of it being difficult to translate the text of the Shema in such a way that one has clearly fulfilled the Torah obligation. (I will try to add a more precise source).

On a practical note, after a couple days praying in English [for example] can easily become route if one isn't very careful. Being easier to understand doesn't mean it is easier to concentrate, indeed sometimes it is just the opposite.

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One is permitted to pray in any language that one understands. But why not just learn the translation and say it in the original?

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    It isn't easy to just learn the translation of all of the davening-shacharis, mincha, maariv, shabbos etc.
    – shlomo
    Commented May 3, 2010 at 1:40
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    I hear you. With the disclaimer ("Like Wikipedia, mi.yodeya makes no guarantee of validity, and does not offer professional (particularly rabbinic) advice. Treat mi.yodeya information like it came from a crowd of your friends.") in mind, I would say that you should get a siddur with translation and daven in your native language until you are comfortable with the Hebrew.
    – Tzvi
    Commented May 3, 2010 at 13:01
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    Though I am davening in Hebrew entirely at this point, I find Artscroll's Schottenstein Interlinear Siddurim to be extremely helpful from time to time. Just a tip. I also don't understand every word, but I'm working on it :)
    – Naftuli Kay
    Commented Aug 12, 2011 at 20:29
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    A person is yotzei on prayer in Lashon Kodesh with or without understanding. It is not the case when you pray in your native language. @shlomo Studying Pirush HaMilos (Simple mearning of davening) for 15 minutes every morning after davening will show you that not only is learning the words of davening in your grasp (words constantly repeat and you only need maybe a 100 word vocab), but it will transform your davening into another realm.
    – user1292
    Commented Mar 9, 2012 at 20:06

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