Japanese word

理解

Pronunciation

Romajirikai

Meaning

  • noununderstanding

Example

先生の話を理解しました。sen sei no hanashi o ri kai shi ma shi ta

I understood what the teacher said.

Illustration for 理解 (understanding)

More examples

初めてでも、説明を聞けばすぐに理解できます。haji me te de mo setsu mei o ki ke ba su gu ni ri kai de ki ma su

Even as a beginner, you can understand it quickly if you listen to the explanation.

Core concept

Understanding means grasping what something means or contains as a whole.

Common phrases

  • 内容を理解するnai yō o ri kai su ru

    understand the content

  • 意味を理解するi mi o ri kai su ru

    understand the meaning

  • 相手を理解するai te o ri kai su ru

    understand the other person

Similar words

把握haaku: A clear grasp of information, facts, or a situation.
納得nattoku: Awareness of information and acceptance of an explanation as valid.
認識ninshiki: Recognition of a fact, situation, or one's own position.

Definition in Japanese

物事の意味や内容を正しく分かること。mono goto no i mi ya nai yō o tada shi ku wa ka ru ko to

Word origin

理解 (rikai) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 理 (ri, "reason") and 解 (kai, "untie"), expressing the grasping of meaning by reasoning it out.

Usage tips

  • 理解しました (rikai shimashita) can mean "I understand" in a polite reply, but わかりました (wakarimashita) is often more natural for simply acknowledging information.

Other meanings

  • appreciationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 理解度rikaidolevel of understandingnoun

Word lists with this word