understand
understand — verb
1. to know what spoken or written words, a language, or a message means
to know what spoken or written words, a language, or a message means
Faisal listened carefully and understood every instruction the pilot gave.
understand + noun phrase (instruction)
Nadia could not understand the question on the application form.
understand + noun phrase (question)
Aylin understands Spanish well but still struggles to speak it fluently.
Eli read the chapter twice before he understood what the author meant.
The child nodded to show that she understood the story.
- comprehend
more formal; used in academic or technical contexts
- grasp
implies making an effort to understand something difficult
- get
informal; common in everyday speech
- misunderstand
to understand incorrectly
- be confused by
to not understand at all
文法句型
understand + noun phrase (a word, a sentence, a language)
understand + what/why/how/when/who-clause
understand (without object)
用法筆記
Often used with wh-clauses (what, why, how) to specify what is being understood. This is the core sense and the easiest for beginners.
常見錯誤
2. to grasp the causes of an event, the operation of a device, or the reason behind
to grasp the causes of an event, the operation of a device, or the reason behind a situation
Takeshi finally understood how the motor converts electricity into motion.
understand + how-clause (mechanism)
Isabela understood why the plants had died after the long drought.
understand + why-clause (cause)
Femi could not understand why the bus always arrived twenty minutes late.
The students understood the experiment after the teacher explained each step.
Christopher understood the rules of chess after playing one game.
- comprehend
more formal; common in academic writing
- figure out
informal; implies working through a problem step by step
文法句型
understand + why/how + clause
understand + noun phrase (the reason, the process, the system)
用法筆記
Frequently used with how and why to explain causes or processes. The object is typically a system, event, situation, or explanation — not a person.
常見錯誤
3. to notice and appreciate what other people feel, experience, or need, often with
to notice and appreciate what other people feel, experience, or need, often with sympathy
Nellie understood why Eli was upset about missing the family reunion.
understand + why-clause (emotional reason)
Élise understood that her brother needed time alone after the argument.
understand + that-clause (someone's emotional need)
William understood his grandmother's wish to stay in her own home.
The manager understood that the staff wanted more flexible working hours.
Aylin understood how Faisal felt about losing the competition.
- empathize with
stronger emotional connection; implies sharing the feeling
- sympathize with
implies feeling pity or sorrow for someone's situation
- relate to
informal; implies a personal connection through similar experience
文法句型
understand + that-clause
understand + noun phrase (someone's feelings, someone's decision)
understand why + clause (someone behaves a certain way)
用法筆記
When used of people's feelings, this sense carries a tone of sympathy or patience. Distinguish from sense 2 (GRASP MECHANISM): sense 3 is about emotions and human behaviour, not technical causes.
常見錯誤
4. to interpret what someone says or what a situation signals, especially when that
to interpret what someone says or what a situation signals, especially when that interpretation later proves incorrect
Eric understood that the meeting started at two, but it was actually at three.
understand + that-clause (mistaken belief, corrected)
Faisal understood from her tone that she was angry, but she was simply tired.
Nadia understood the notice to mean the library would be closed for a week.
Christopher understood that the price included delivery, but it did not.
When Takeshi said the project was fine, Isabela understood him to mean it was finished.
文法句型
understand + that-clause (where the clause is later revealed to be wrong)
I understood (that)… — often corrected by context or later information
用法筆記
In this sense, the speaker often follows up with information that corrects the mistaken belief. Frequently followed by a that-clause or an object + to-infinitive structure.
常見錯誤
5. of two or more people: to share an agreement or awareness without needing to sta
of two or more people: to share an agreement or awareness without needing to state everything openly
Faisal and Nadia understood each other without needing to exchange a single word.
reciprocal: understand each other
The two companies understood that the partnership would take at least a year to develop.
understand + that-clause (shared understanding)
Eli and his roommate understood one another perfectly on sharing household chores.
The neighbours understood that nobody would park in front of the garage.
After years of working together, the team understood each other's working style.
- agree
more explicit; implies stating the agreement openly
- see eye to eye
idiomatic; implies full agreement on a particular matter
- disagree
to have a different opinion or view
文法句型
understand each other / understand one another
understand + that-clause (shared understanding)
it is understood that... (mutual)
用法筆記
Often uses the reciprocal forms 'understand each other' or 'understand one another'. The understanding may be unspoken — an implicit agreement rather than a formal arrangement.
6. to have learned or inferred from written or spoken information that something is
to have learned or inferred from written or spoken information that something is the case
Eli understood from the email that the office would be closed on Friday.
understand from [source] + that-clause
Christopher understood that the flight would be delayed by two hours.
William understood from the doctor that the test results were all normal.
I understand that you have applied for the position of head librarian.
Aylin understood from the notice that the building would close for repairs.
文法句型
understand + that-clause (belief based on information received)
understand + from + noun + that-clause
用法筆記
Common in formal correspondence ('I understand that you wish to…'). The information source can be stated explicitly with 'from + noun phrase'. Distinguish from sense 4 (MISTAKEN BELIEF): sense 6 does not carry the implication of error.
常見錯誤
7. used as a question or firm instruction to check that someone has fully grasped w
used as a question or firm instruction to check that someone has fully grasped what is being asked and will obey
"You will finish the report by Friday, understand?" the supervisor said firmly.
imperative: 'understand?' as a tag question
"Don't open the door for strangers, understand?" the mother told her child.
The security guard said, "You are not to enter this area, understand?"
"I want the kitchen spotless when I return, understand?" the chef ordered.
"Stay with the group at all times, understand?" the tour guide warned everyone.
文法句型
Understand? (as a question or command at the end of an instruction)
Do I make myself understood?
用法筆記
Used mainly in spoken, directive contexts. The speaker sets a firm expectation. A response of 'I understand' confirms compliance. This sense is strongly associated with authority (bosses, parents, officials).
常見錯誤
❌ 'You clean your room, understand?' said with a soft, questioning tone. — In this sense, 'understand?' is a firm directive, not a polite question. The tone should be authoritative.
8. referring to a social rule or shared expectation that people follow without need
referring to a social rule or shared expectation that people follow without needing an explicit statement
It is understood that students must not use mobile phones during examinations.
passive: 'it is understood that...' (unspoken rule)
In the Wong household, it was understood that everyone helped with the evening meal.
It is generally understood that the rules apply equally to all employees.
In our office, it is understood that meetings begin exactly on the hour.
It was understood that the land belonged to the community, not to any individual.
- implied
focuses on the fact that something is suggested without being said outright
- taken for granted
emphasises that nobody questions the assumption
- presumed
slightly more formal; suggests an assumption based on convention
文法句型
it is understood that... (passive, formal)
it is generally understood that...
it is understood to be...
用法筆記
Almost always in the passive form 'it is understood that…'. The subject is impersonal. This sense appears in formal, legal, and social-rule contexts. Distinguish from sense 5 (MUTUAL AGREEMENT): sense 8 is about general social norms, not a specific arrangement between two people.