understand
gb/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/ us/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
A2
Anglais
~ 500
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
A2
action
1
Comprehend the meaning
To know what something means when you read, hear, or see it.
Schéma d’usage :
to understand [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'understand' with 'know', but 'understand' focuses on comprehension, not just possession of information.
Synonymes
comprehend (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Antonymes
misunderstand (To interpret something incorrectly or fail to grasp its true meaning.)
Collocations
understand the question
|understand the meaning
|fully understand
|easily understand
|understand instructions
Thèmes
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I understand this word.
- Do you understand me?
- She understands the story.
- We understand the rules.
- I don't understand this sentence.
Verbe
B1
action
2
Be aware or informed
To know that something is true or happening.
Schéma d’usage :
to understand (that) [clause]
Synonymes
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or discovery, while 'understand' may imply prior knowledge.)
Antonymes
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to a fact or situation.)
Collocations
understand that
|as I understand it
|I understand from
|understand correctly
Thèmes
knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I understand that you are busy.
- We understand the problem.
- She understands that it is late.
- I understand from you that he is sick.
Verbe
B1
action
3
Sympathize with someone's feelings
To know how someone feels because you have felt the same way or can imagine it.
Schéma d’usage :
to understand [someone/someone's feelings]
Synonymes
empathize (Focuses on sharing and feeling another person's emotions deeply.)
Antonymes
disregard (To fail to consider or care about someone’s feelings.)
Collocations
understand each other
|try to understand
|hard to understand someone
Thèmes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I understand your problem.
- She understands my feelings.
- We try to understand each other.
- He understands why I am sad.
Verbe
B2
action
4
Interpret in a certain way
To think that something means a certain thing.
Schéma d’usage :
to understand [something] as [something]
Synonymes
interpret (Often used more broadly for explaining the meaning of complex or artistic material.)
Antonymes
misinterpret (To assign an incorrect meaning.)
Collocations
understand something as meaning
|be understood to mean
Thèmes
interpretation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His words were understood as a threat.
- The term should be understood in a legal context.
- I understood her silence as agreement.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I understood his words as a joke.
- She understood the note as a warning.
- We understood his look as 'yes'.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
understand
API
GB/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
US/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
Syllabes et accentuation
un - der - stand (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: understand
- 3rd Person Singular: understands
- Present Participle: understanding
- Past: understood
- Past Participle: understood
Famille de mots
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
Points clés
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- He spoke slowly to make himself understood.
- It's hard to make yourself understood in a noisy room.