🦅 Project Eagle
Quadruple VS

Synonym Boundary: "わかる", "分かる", "納得する", "承知する"

All represent the core concept "understand", but require precise selection.

Japanese Option A

わかる

わかる (wakaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B

分かる

わかる (wakaru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C

納得する

なっとくする (nattoku suru)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D

承知する

しょうちする (shouchi suru)
N3 / CEFR

Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences

When expressing "understand" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "わかる", "分かる", "納得する", "承知する" based on context.
  • わかる (わかる (wakaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to understand, to know" and is used when Intransitive verb. Often used with the particle 「が.
  • 分かる (わかる (wakaru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to understand" and is used when Intransitive verb. Often used with the particle が.
  • 納得する (なっとくする (nattoku suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to understand; to be convinced; to accept" and is used when Implies understanding and accepting something as reasonable or true after explanation or consideration. Often used in formal or serious contexts..
  • 承知する (しょうちする (shouchi suru) - Level: N3): Maps to "to understand; to accept; to be aware of" and is used when A formal way to say 'to understand' or 'to acknowledge'. Often used in business or polite contexts when accepting a request or acknowledging information. Less casual than わかる.
Mixing these up can easily lead to unnatural translations. Refer to the bilingual context cards below to master the boundaries!
Context for "わかる"
日本語がわかりますか。
Do you understand Japanese?
Context for "分かる"
先生の話がよく分かりました。
I understood the teacher's talk well.
Context for "納得する"
彼の説明を聞いて、ようやく納得した。
After listening to his explanation, I finally understood.
Context for "承知する"
ご提案の件、承知いたしました。
I have understood your proposal. (or: I acknowledge your proposal.)

Synonym Mastery Challenge

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "日本語がわかりますか。" (Meaning: "Do you understand Japanese?")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "わかる" is correct here because it represents "to understand, to know" in the context: "Do you understand Japanese?".