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
汲み取る
くみとる (kumitoru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "understand" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between わかります and 汲み取る.
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, 汲み取る (くみとる (kumitoru)) maps to "to understand (someone's feelings/intentions), to grasp, to read between the lines" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Implies understanding someone's unexpressed feelings, thoughts, or intentions, often empathetically. Not just intellectual understanding, but emotional recognition.. 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 "汲み取る"
相手の気持ちを汲み取って行動する。
To act by understanding the other person's feelings.
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.". "汲み取る" represents "to understand (someone's feelings/intentions), to grasp, to read between the lines".