Japanese word

わかる

Pronunciation

Romajiwakaru

Meaning

  • verbunderstand

Example

日本語が少しわかります。nihon go ga suko shi wa ka ri ma su

I understand a little Japanese.

Illustration for わかる (understand)

More examples

この問題がわかります。ko no mon dai ga wa ka ri ma su

I understand this problem.

先生の説明を聞くと、文法がわかります。sen sei no setsu mei o ki ku to bun pō ga wa ka ri ma su

When I listen to the teacher's explanation, I understand the grammar.

Core concept

Shows that information becomes clear enough to be understood, known, or recognized.

Common phrases

  • 意味がわかるi mi ga wa ka ru

    understand the meaning

  • よくわかるyo ku wa ka ru

    understand clearly

  • すぐわかるsu gu wa ka ru

    understand immediately

Similar words

理解するrikaisuru: To form a clear understanding of something by thinking about it.
知るshiru: To learn or have knowledge of a fact or piece of information.

Definition in Japanese

物事の意味や内容を理解する。mono goto no i mi ya nai yō o ri kai su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb わかる (wakaru) is commonly written 分かる (wakaru, "be clear") and is related in form and meaning to 分ける (wakeru, "divide").

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, わかる (wakaru) often appears as わかります (wakarimasu) and わかりません (wakarimasen), making it useful for saying that something is or is not understood.

Other meanings

  • knowverb
  • find outverb

Related words

Word lists with this word