Translation guide
How to express that you have understood something in Japanese, from casual acknowledgments to formal confirmations.
To show you've heard and understood someone in everyday conversation.
The most common casual way to say 'got it' or 'understood'. Used with friends, family, and close colleagues.
明日10時に駅で待ってるね。
I'll be waiting at the station at 10 tomorrow.
わかった。
Got it.
Casual 'roger' or 'understood', often used among friends or in informal settings. Can sound a bit blunt or military-like.
了解！
Roger!
A simple 'yeah' or 'uh-huh' to show you're listening and understanding. Very casual.
うん、わかった。
Yeah, got it.
To politely confirm understanding in formal or business situations.
The standard polite way to say 'I understand' or 'understood'. Suitable for most formal situations.
会議は3時からです。
The meeting is from 3 o'clock.
わかりました。
Understood.
Very formal 'understood' or 'certainly', used in business when accepting instructions or requests.
承知しました。すぐに対応いたします。
Understood. I will handle it immediately.
Very polite 'certainly' or 'understood', often used in customer service. Shows humility.
かしこまりました。少々お待ちください。
Certainly. Please wait a moment.
To explicitly state that you understand the content or meaning of something.
Means 'I comprehended' or 'I understood'. More intellectual than わかりました, often used for complex information.
ご説明の内容を理解しました。
I have understood the content of your explanation.
Means 'I've grasped it' or 'I've got a handle on it'. Used in business to confirm understanding of a situation.
状況は把握しました。
I've grasped the situation.
Literally 'I was able to swallow it', meaning 'I fully digested/understood'. Used for deep understanding.
やっと理論が飲み込めた。
I finally got the theory down.
To respond to a command or request, showing you will comply.
Simple 'yes' that implies understanding and compliance. Often combined with other phrases.
はい、わかりました。
Yes, understood.
Humble form of 承知しました, used when speaking to superiors or clients.
承知いたしました。
Understood (humble).
To show you understand someone's feelings or situation.
Means 'I get it' or 'I feel you'. Used to empathize, not just comprehend facts.
その気持ち、わかるよ。
I understand that feeling.
Polite way to say 'I understand your feelings'.
お気持ちはよくわかります。
I fully understand how you feel.
To express that something is implicitly understood or taken for granted.
Means 'you understand without me saying it'. Used for shared understanding.
言わなくてもわかるよね。
You get it without me saying, right?
Noun meaning 'tacit understanding' or 'unspoken agreement'.
それは暗黙の了解だ。
That's an unspoken understanding.
わかりました is the general 'understood' for everyday use. 理解しました is more intellectual and formal, used for deep comprehension of concepts or instructions.
ルールはわかりました。
I understand the rules (got it).
理論を理解しました。
I comprehended the theory.
了解 is casual and can sound blunt or overly familiar in formal settings. Stick to わかりました or 承知しました in business.