understand
gb/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/ us/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
A2
Inglés
~ 500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
A2
action
1
Comprehend the meaning
To know what something means when you read, hear, or see it.
Patrón de uso:
to understand [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'understand' with 'know', but 'understand' focuses on comprehension, not just possession of information.
Sinónimos
comprehend (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antónimos
misunderstand (To interpret something incorrectly or fail to grasp its true meaning.)
Colocaciones
understand the question
|understand the meaning
|fully understand
|easily understand
|understand instructions
Temas
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I don't understand what you're saying.
- She quickly understood the teacher's explanation.
- Do you understand the rules of the game?
- He didn't understand the joke.
- It's important to understand the instructions before starting.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I understand this word.
- Do you understand me?
- She understands the story.
- We understand the rules.
- I don't understand this sentence.
Verbo
B1
action
2
Be aware or informed
To know that something is true or happening.
Patrón de uso:
to understand (that) [clause]
Sinónimos
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or discovery, while 'understand' may imply prior knowledge.)
Antónimos
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to a fact or situation.)
Colocaciones
understand that
|as I understand it
|I understand from
|understand correctly
Temas
knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I understand that you're leaving soon.
- As I understand it, the meeting starts at 9.
- We understand from your letter that you are unhappy with our service.
- He understands the risks involved in this job.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I understand that you are busy.
- We understand the problem.
- She understands that it is late.
- I understand from you that he is sick.
Verbo
B1
action
3
Sympathize with someone's feelings
To know how someone feels because you have felt the same way or can imagine it.
Patrón de uso:
to understand [someone/someone's feelings]
Sinónimos
empathize (Focuses on sharing and feeling another person's emotions deeply.)
Antónimos
disregard (To fail to consider or care about someone’s feelings.)
Colocaciones
understand each other
|try to understand
|hard to understand someone
Temas
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I understand how difficult this must be for you.
- She really understands me.
- They tried to understand his point of view.
- He doesn't understand why I'm upset.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I understand your problem.
- She understands my feelings.
- We try to understand each other.
- He understands why I am sad.
Verbo
B2
action
4
Interpret in a certain way
To think that something means a certain thing.
Patrón de uso:
to understand [something] as [something]
Sinónimos
interpret (Often used more broadly for explaining the meaning of complex or artistic material.)
Antónimos
misinterpret (To assign an incorrect meaning.)
Colocaciones
understand something as meaning
|be understood to mean
Temas
interpretation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- His words were understood as a threat.
- The term should be understood in a legal context.
- I understood her silence as agreement.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I understood his words as a joke.
- She understood the note as a warning.
- We understood his look as 'yes'.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
understand
AFI
GB/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
US/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
Sílabas y acento
un - der - stand (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: understand
- 3rd Person Singular: understands
- Present Participle: understanding
- Past: understood
- Past Participle: understood
Familia de palabras
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
Aspectos destacados
- Irregular past: understood Verb
- Irregular past participle: understood Verb
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- He spoke slowly to make himself understood.
- It's hard to make yourself understood in a noisy room.