Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Understand" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "understand", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
わかります
わかります (wakarimasu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
わかる
わかる (wakaru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "understand" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between わかります and わかる.
In Japanese, わかります (わかります (wakarimasu)) is typically associated with "to understand" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Polite form of わかる. Indicates comprehension. Often used with particle が..
On the other hand, わかる (わかる (wakaru)) maps to "to understand, to know" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Intransitive verb. Often used with the particle 「が. A literal translation of "understand" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "わかります"
英語がわかります。
I understand English.
Bilingual Context for "わかる"
日本語がわかりますか。
Do you understand Japanese?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "英語が ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "I understand English.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "わかります" fits here because it means "to understand" in the context of: "I understand English.". "わかる" represents "to understand, to know".