Understand meanings in Chinese

理解

Example:

I understand your concerns.

我理解你的担忧。

Do you understand the instructions?

你明白这些指示吗？

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in both casual and professional settings when discussing comprehension of ideas or information.

Note: This is the most common meaning, applicable in a wide range of situations.

懂

Example:

I don't understand what you mean.

我不懂你的意思。

She understands the problem well.

她懂这个问题。

Usage: informalContext: Commonly used in everyday conversation, especially in casual speech.

Note: This term is more colloquial and often used in spoken Chinese.

明白

Example:

Do you understand now?

你明白了吗？

I finally understand how it works.

我终于明白它是怎么工作的。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used when someone has gained clarity or insight about a subject.

Note: This term emphasizes clarity and is often used when explaining concepts.

领会

Example:

I hope you can understand the deeper meaning.

我希望你能领会更深层的意义。

It's important to understand the context.

理解上下文很重要。

Usage: formalContext: Used in academic or literary discussions where deeper comprehension is emphasized.

Note: This term is less common in everyday conversation and is often found in written texts.

察觉

Example:

He understands the situation well.

他察觉到这个情况很清楚。

She understands people's feelings.

她察觉到人们的感受。

Usage: informalContext: Used when referring to the perception or awareness of subtleties.

Note: This meaning focuses on emotional or situational awareness rather than intellectual understanding.

comprehend

To grasp the meaning or significance of something.

Example: She struggled to comprehend the complex instructions.

Note: Comprehend is often used for deeper understanding or grasping complex ideas.

grasp

To understand something completely or thoroughly.

Example: It took him a while to grasp the concept of quantum physics.

Note: Grasp can imply a more thorough or complete understanding.

get

To come to understand or realize something.

Example: I finally got what she was trying to say.

Note: Get is a more colloquial and informal way of expressing understanding.

perceive

To become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses.

Example: He perceived the underlying message in her words.

Note: Perceive often involves sensing or becoming aware of something rather than just understanding it intellectually.

Get the hang of

To become familiar or skilled in something; to understand or master something.

Example: It took me a while, but I finally got the hang of using the new software.

Note: This phrase emphasizes gaining proficiency or skill in understanding something.

Wrap one's head around

To understand something that is complex or difficult to grasp.

Example: I can't wrap my head around the concept of time travel.

Note: This phrase highlights the challenge of comprehending a difficult or abstract concept.

Click with

To be easily understood or accepted by someone.

Example: The new teaching method really clicked with the students.

Note: This phrase suggests a positive reception or quick understanding of something.

Make sense of

To understand or interpret something logically; to find meaning in something.

Example: After reading the instructions a few times, I was able to make sense of them.

Note: This phrase focuses on interpreting information or situations in a coherent and logical way.

Grasp the concept

To understand the fundamental idea or meaning of something.

Example: It took me a while, but I finally grasped the concept of quantum physics.

Note: This phrase specifically refers to understanding the core idea or principle behind a concept.

Catch on

To begin to understand or realize something after a period of confusion.

Example: She was a bit confused at first, but eventually, she caught on to the new rules.

Note: This phrase indicates a gradual understanding or realization after initial confusion or uncertainty.

See eye to eye

To agree with someone; to have the same opinion or understanding.

Example: We don't always see eye to eye on every issue, but we respect each other's opinions.

Note: This phrase refers to having a shared perspective or agreement on a particular matter.

Get it

To understand or comprehend something.

Example: I finally get it! Thanks for explaining it to me.

Note: Similar to 'understand', but more casual and conversational.

Pick up

To grasp or comprehend something.

Example: It took me a while, but I finally picked up what he was saying.

Note: Implies gradually understanding something, similar to learning.

Cotton on to

To finally understand or become aware of something after it was not immediately clear.

Example: I've finally cottoned on to what she's been hinting at all this time.

Note: Suggests a sudden realization or understanding after a period of confusion or uncertainty.

Get the picture

To finally grasp the full understanding of something, especially after multiple explanations or instances.

Example: I explained it three times already. Do you finally get the picture?

Note: Conveys a sense of clarity or completion in understanding a situation or concept.

Catch the drift

To understand the hidden or implied meaning behind something.

Example: He was dropping hints all night, and I finally caught the drift.

Note: Focuses on understanding subtle or indirect messages rather than explicit information.

Tune in

To become aware of or understand something, especially after initially not paying attention or being confused.

Example: It took a while, but I eventually tuned in to what she was trying to say.

Note: Similar to picking up or grasping something, but also implies paying attention and focusing on understanding.

Nailed it

To perfectly understand or accomplish something.

Example: After studying all night, I finally nailed the concept for the exam.

Note: Indicates not just understanding, but mastering or excelling at a particular concept or task.

I understand your point of view.

我理解你的观点。

She can't understand why he left.

她无法理解他为什么离开。

He is a very understanding person.

他是一个非常理解别人的人。

Understand - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: understand

Conjugations

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): understood

Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): understood

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): understanding

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): understands

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): understand

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): understand

Syllabification and Stress

understand Contains 3 syllables: un • der • stand

Phonetic transcription: ˌən-dər-ˈstand

un der stand , ˌən dər ˈstand (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

understand: 400 - 500 (Extremely common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Understand