understand
gb/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/ us/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
A2
English
~ 500
ért, megért, tud, együttérez, értelmez
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to understand [something]
I don't understand what you're saying.
Nem értem, mit mondasz.
She quickly understood the teacher's explanation.
Gyorsan megértette a tanár magyarázatát.
Do you understand the rules of the game?
He didn't understand the joke.
It's important to understand the instructions before starting.
Learner examples
I understand this word.
Értem ezt a szót.
Do you understand me?
Érted, amit mondok?
She understands the story.
We understand the rules.
I don't understand this sentence.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'understand' with 'know', but 'understand' focuses on comprehension, not just possession of information.
Meaning
Comprehend the meaning
Collocations
understand the question
|understand the meaning
|fully understand
|easily understand
|understand instructions
Synonyms
comprehend (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (To interpret something incorrectly or fail to grasp its true meaning.)
Themes
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To know what something means when you read, hear, or see it.
To perceive and interpret the intended meaning of spoken, written, or signaled information.
VERB
B1
2
tud
A1
Usage pattern:
to understand (that) [clause]
I understand that you're leaving soon.
Úgy tudom, hamarosan elmész.
As I understand it, the meeting starts at 9.
Úgy tudom, a megbeszélés 9-kor kezdődik.
We understand from your letter that you are unhappy with our service.
He understands the risks involved in this job.
Learner examples
I understand that you are busy.
Tudom, hogy elfoglalt vagy.
We understand the problem.
Tudjuk, mi a probléma.
She understands that it is late.
I understand from you that he is sick.
Meaning
Be aware or informed
Collocations
understand that
|as I understand it
|I understand from
|understand correctly
Synonyms
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or discovery, while 'understand' may imply prior knowledge.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to a fact or situation.)
Themes
knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To know that something is true or happening.
To realize or know about something, especially as a fact or situation.
VERB
B1
3
megért
A2
együttérez
B2
Usage pattern:
to understand [someone/someone's feelings]
I understand how difficult this must be for you.
Megértem, milyen nehéz lehet ez neked.
She really understands me.
Ő igazán megért engem.
They tried to understand his point of view.
He doesn't understand why I'm upset.
Learner examples
I understand your problem.
Megértem a problémádat.
She understands my feelings.
Megérti az érzéseimet.
We try to understand each other.
He understands why I am sad.
Meaning
Sympathize with someone's feelings
Collocations
understand each other
|try to understand
|hard to understand someone
Synonyms
empathize (Focuses on sharing and feeling another person's emotions deeply.)
Antonyms
disregard (To fail to consider or care about someone’s feelings.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To know how someone feels because you have felt the same way or can imagine it.
To relate to someone's emotional state or situation and empathize with them.
VERB
B2
4
értelmez
B2
Usage pattern:
to understand [something] as [something]
His words were understood as a threat.
A szavait fenyegetésként értelmezték.
The term should be understood in a legal context.
A kifejezést jogi összefüggésben kell értelmezni.
I understood her silence as agreement.
Learner examples
I understood his words as a joke.
Tréfaként értelmeztem a szavait.
She understood the note as a warning.
Figyelmeztetésként értelmezte az üzenetet.
We understood his look as 'yes'.
Meaning
Interpret in a certain way
Collocations
understand something as meaning
|be understood to mean
Synonyms
interpret (Often used more broadly for explaining the meaning of complex or artistic material.)
Antonyms
misinterpret (To assign an incorrect meaning.)
Themes
interpretation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think that something means a certain thing.
To take something as having a particular meaning or implication.
Grammar
Dictionary form
understand
IPA
GB/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
US/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
Syllables & stress
un - der - stand (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: understand
- 3rd Person Singular: understands
- Present Participle: understanding
- Past: understood
- Past Participle: understood
Word family
Forms
understands
verb
understanding
verb
understood
verb
Core family
understandable
adjective B1
Related words
understandably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
misunderstand
verb B1
misunderstanding
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past: understood Verb
- Irregular past participle: understood Verb
Expressions
as I understand it
1/ˈæz ˈaɪ ˌʌndɚstˈænd ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
My interpretation of information
Used to say what you think is true based on what you know now.
Examples
- As I understand it, we need to finish by Friday.
- As I understand it, she's moving abroad next year.
do you understand what I'm saying?
1/dˈu jˈu ˌʌndɚstˈænd wˈʌt ˈaɪm sˈeɪɪŋ ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
Check listener comprehension of speech
Used to check if someone knows what you mean when you talk to them.
Examples
- I'm not going to lend him money again, do you understand what I'm saying?
- This is dangerous, do you understand what I'm saying?
do you understand?
1/dˈu jˈu ˌʌndɚstˈænd ‖/
fixed phrase
Asking if someone comprehends
Used to ask if someone knows what you mean or can follow your instructions.
Examples
- This is very important—do you understand?
- You must be here on time, do you understand?
make yourself understood
1/mˈeɪk jʊɹsˈɛlf ˌʌndɚstˈʊd/
fixed phrase
Communicate so others get it
To say something in a way that people can understand you.
Examples
- He spoke slowly to make himself understood.
- It's hard to make yourself understood in a noisy room.