Understand: meaning, definitions and examples

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understand

[ˌʌndərˈstænd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

communication

Perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or speaker)

Synonyms

comprehend, get the drift of, grasp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
understand	Used in everyday conversation and academic settings to indicate general comprehension. I understand your concerns about the project Can you help me understand this math problem?
comprehend	Used in formal contexts and often implies a deeper level of understanding. It can be challenging to fully comprehend the complexities of quantum mechanics She struggled to comprehend his decision to quit
grasp	Often used when talking about understanding difficult or complex concepts. Can imply a strong and confident understanding. She was able to grasp the main principles of calculus quickly It's important to grasp the key points in an argument
get the drift of	Used in informal conversation to indicate a basic or general understanding. Sometimes implies that the understanding is not complete. I didn't catch every detail, but I get the drift of what you're saying You don't have to explain it all; I get the drift

Examples of usage

I can't understand what you are saying
She doesn't understand English very well

^{Context #2 | Verb}

sympathy

Be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of

Synonyms

be understanding of, empathize with, relate to.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
understand	This is a general term used to show that you comprehend or have knowledge about a subject or situation. I understand the math problem now. She understands the new policy.
empathize with	This is used to describe the ability to deeply understand someone else's feelings or emotional state by putting yourself in their place. I can empathize with her grief; I lost my dog recently too. He really empathizes with refugees because his family went through a similar ordeal.
relate to	This phrase is used when you recognize similarities between yourself and someone else's experiences, feelings, or situation. I can relate to his struggles because I had a similar upbringing. Teenagers often find it hard to relate to older generations.
be understanding of	This phrase is used when someone is showing sympathy or tolerance toward someone else's feelings or situation. Please be understanding of her situation; she just lost her job. He is very understanding of people with disabilities.

Examples of usage

She understands the difficulties he's going through
He doesn't understand the pain she's feeling

^{Context #3 | Verb}

knowledge

Know how to interpret or deal with

Synonyms

comprehend, get the hang of, grasp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
understand	Used in general situations to mean recognizing the meaning, significance, or nature of something. It is neutral in tone and widely applicable. I understand the instructions you gave me She tries to understand her friend's feelings
comprehend	Typically used in more formal or academic contexts. It implies grasping the full meaning or significance of something, often after deep thought. She struggled to comprehend the complex theory He couldn't comprehend why his proposal was rejected
grasp	Can be used both literally (to hold tightly) and figuratively (to understand deeply). It often implies a firm or complete understanding. He cannot grasp the basic concepts of the subject She was finally able to grasp the true meaning of the poem
get the hang of	Informal and often used in casual conversations. It refers to becoming skilled at something after some practice. It took me a while to get the hang of driving Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon

Examples of usage

She understands the importance of this project
He doesn't understand the rules of the game

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word traces back to Old English 'understandan', meaning to stand in the midst of something, indicating a deep connection with a subject.
Its parts 'under' and 'stand' show a metaphor of support, as if you are standing under the weight of knowledge.

Psychology

Cognitive scientists study understanding as a higher-order process that involves not just recognizing information, but interpreting and integrating it.
The ability to understand is linked to empathy; understanding others' feelings and perspectives can significantly foster connections.

Education

Metacognition, or 'thinking about thinking', is crucial for understanding complex concepts, allowing students to evaluate their comprehension.
Teachers often use techniques like summarization and questioning to help students achieve better understanding of the material.

Philosophy

Philosophers debate what it means to truly understand something, suggesting it encompasses both knowledge and the ability to apply it.
Many argue that understanding is deeply personal; what one person grasps may differ significantly from another's interpretation.

Pop Culture

The concept of 'understanding' often appears in songs and literature, symbolizing love and connection, where knowing someone well is prized.
Movies often depict the journey of characters working toward understanding each other after conflicts, highlighting human relationships.

Translations

Translations of the word "understand" in other languages:

🇵🇹 entender

🇮🇳 समझना (samajhna)

🇩🇪 verstehen

🇮🇩 mengerti

🇺🇦 розуміти

🇵🇱 rozumieć

🇯🇵 理解する (rikai suru)

🇫🇷 comprendre

🇪🇸 entender

🇹🇷 anlamak

🇰🇷 이해하다 (ihaehada)

🇸🇦 فهم (fahm)

🇨🇿 rozumět

🇸🇰 rozumieť

🇨🇳 理解 (lǐjiě)

🇸🇮 razumeti

🇮🇸 skilja

🇰🇿 түсіну (tüsinu)

🇬🇪 გაგება (gageba)

🇦🇿 anlamaq

🇲🇽 entender

Word Frequency Rank

At #624 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

...
621 equal
622 workers
623 duty
624 understand
625 final
626 simple
627 organization
...