understand
gb/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/ us/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
A2
Inglese
~ 500
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Verbo
A2
action
1
Comprehend the meaning
To know what something means when you read, hear, or see it.
Schema d'uso:
to understand [something]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'understand' with 'know', but 'understand' focuses on comprehension, not just possession of information.
Sinonimi
comprehend (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or technical contexts.)
Contrari
misunderstand (To interpret something incorrectly or fail to grasp its true meaning.)
Collocazioni
understand the question
|understand the meaning
|fully understand
|easily understand
|understand instructions
Temi
communication
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
to understand (that) [clause]
Sinonimi
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or discovery, while 'understand' may imply prior knowledge.)
Contrari
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to a fact or situation.)
Collocazioni
understand that
|as I understand it
|I understand from
|understand correctly
Temi
knowledge
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
to understand [someone/someone's feelings]
Sinonimi
empathize (Focuses on sharing and feeling another person's emotions deeply.)
Contrari
disregard (To fail to consider or care about someone’s feelings.)
Collocazioni
understand each other
|try to understand
|hard to understand someone
Temi
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
to understand [something] as [something]
Sinonimi
interpret (Often used more broadly for explaining the meaning of complex or artistic material.)
Contrari
misinterpret (To assign an incorrect meaning.)
Collocazioni
understand something as meaning
|be understood to mean
Temi
interpretation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- His words were understood as a threat.
- The term should be understood in a legal context.
- I understood her silence as agreement.
Esempi per chi studia
- I understood his words as a joke.
- She understood the note as a warning.
- We understood his look as 'yes'.
Grammatica
Forma base
understand
IPA
GB/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
US/ˌʌndɚstˈænd/
Sillabe e accento
un - der - stand (3 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Forme flesse
Verb
- Base: understand
- 3rd Person Singular: understands
- Present Participle: understanding
- Past: understood
- Past Participle: understood
Famiglia di parole
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
Punti chiave
- Irregular past: understood Verb
- Irregular past participle: understood Verb
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- He spoke slowly to make himself understood.
- It's hard to make yourself understood in a noisy room.