分わかる

わ

か

る

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 200

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

understand; comprehend; grasp

usually written using kana alone

General verb for understanding something intellectually or emotionally. Covers grasping meaning, reasons, feelings, or how something works.

この問もん題だいがわからない。
I don't understand this problem.

彼かれ

の

気き

持も

ち

が

よく

わかる

。

I understand his feelings well.

2

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

become clear; be known; turn out

usually written using kana alone

Used when a fact, identity, or truth becomes apparent, often through investigation or time. Common in phrases like わかったことは… (what became clear is…).

調しらべたら、原げん因いんがわかった。
When I looked into it, the cause became clear.
彼かれが犯はん人にんだとわかった。
It turned out that he was the culprit.

3

interjection

I know!; right?!

Interjection showing strong agreement or realization, often in casual conversation. Equivalent to 'I know, right?' or 'That's what I thought!'.

「あの店みせ、高たかいよね」「わかる！」
"That shop is expensive, isn't it?" "I know!"

Written forms

分わかるUsage23%
Most common kanji spelling for general understanding and realization senses.
わかるUsage69%
Kana spelling is very common and often preferred in informal writing; usually written in kana.
判わかるUsage3%
Used when something becomes clear, is distinguished, or is identified; often in contexts of judgment or discernment.
解わかるUsage2%
Used especially for logical or analytical understanding, but less common than 分かる.
分わかるUsage2%
Less common simplified variant of 分かる.
ワカルUsage<1%
理わ解かるUsage0%
search-only kanji form

Kanji

分part, minute of time, segment
判judgement, judgment, signature
解unravel, notes, key
理

Similar words

知しる
知る is 'to know' facts or information, while わかる is 'to understand' or 'to become clear'. わかる focuses on comprehension or realization, not mere possession of knowledge.
理り解かいする
理解する is more formal and intellectual, often used for deep or systematic understanding, while わかる is everyday and covers emotional understanding as well.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 分く (わく, 'to divide, distinguish'), with the sense of 'to be distinguished' evolving into 'to be clear, to understand'. The kanji 分 carries the meaning of 'part, divide, understand'.

logic, arrangement, reason