理解 lǐjiě comprehend
comprehend; understand
How to remember 理解: 理 reason + 解 to explain = comprehend.
Characters
How it is used
- To understand deeply, especially reasons, feelings, or people - 我理解你的心情 (wǒ lǐjiě nǐ de xīnqíng) I understand how you feel.
- Contrast 懂 (dǒng, to get/comprehend) and 明白 (míngbai, to be clear on): 理解 stresses grasping the sense and empathizing, often with abstract or emotional content.
- Can be a noun: 互相理解 (hùxiāng lǐjiě) mutual understanding.
Example sentences
- 没人理解我。 Méi rén lǐjiě wǒ.No one understands me.
- 他不理解我。 Tā bù lǐjiě wǒ.He doesn't understand me.
- 我不理解你说的话。 Wǒ bù lǐjiě nǐ shuō de huà.I don't understand what you said.