“To understand” in Japanese is 分かる (わかる), pronounced wakaru.
Pronunciation
The word has 3 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To understand. The thing understood takes が: 日本語が分かる. 分かりました also means “got it” or “okay”.
Example sentences
- 日本語が少し分かります。にほんごがすこしわかります。I understand a little Japanese.
- 分かりません。わかりません。I don’t understand.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 分かる. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 分かる わかる | understand |
| Polite present | 分かります わかります | understand |
| Polite negative | 分かりません わかりません | don’t understand |
| Polite past | 分かりました わかりました | past of “understand” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 分からない わからない | don’t understand (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 分かった わかった | past of “understand” (casual) |
| て-form | 分かって わかって | understand and… / please understand (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 分かりたい わかりたい | want to understand |
Quick practice
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What does {{分かる}} mean?
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Which word means “to make”?
Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to understand in Japanese?
To understand in Japanese is 分かる (わかる), pronounced “wakaru”.
How do you write to understand in Japanese?
It's written 分かる with kanji, or わかる in hiragana. Both are read wakaru.
Is 分かる on the JLPT?
Yes. 分かる (wakaru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.